Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].

Questions Nos. 1 to 97, inclusive, resubmitted.

Sugar Imports

David Stanton

Question:

98 Deputy David Stanton asked the Taoiseach the quantity and value of sugar imported in 2009; the countries from which the sugar was imported; the amount and value imported from each country respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38570/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy John Curran)

The information requested by Deputy Stanton is presented in the following table. The table shows the total quantity of cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose imports by country for the year January-December 2009. The total value of sugar imported in 2009 was €99.9 million and the quantity was 169,130 tonnes.

Imports
Country	Jan-Dec 2009
	€ 000	Tonnes
Australia	6	6
Austria	1	1
Belgium	782	1,111
Brazil	1	1
Canada	0	0
China	30	26
Czech Republic	3	3
Denmark	2	1
France	8,723	16,253
Germany	9,908	14,380
Ghana	10	2
Great Britain	72,648	128,038
Hong Kong	8	8
Hungary	3	1
India	3	3
Indonesia	1	1
Ireland	608	728
Italy	851	196
Japan	776	206
Kenya	0	0
Lithuania	7	10
Luxembourg	4,853	7,629
Malawi	43	33
Malaysia	0	0
Mauritius	20	14
Netherlands	119	41
New Zealand	0	0
Nigeria	0	0
Northern Ireland	63	80
Pakistan	5	1
Philippines	1	2
Poland	22	24
Spain	34	29
Switzerland	113	72
Thailand	17	11
Turkey	28	13
United Arab Emirates	84	163
United States	87	43
Grand Total	99,860	169,130

Public Service Staff

Róisín Shortall

Question:

99 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of public servants who left under the incentivised early retirement scheme with details of grades; the number of public servants who left for other reasons with details of grades; the number of new staff recruited with details of grades; the number of promotions with details of grades; the net savings arising from the staff leaving over and above those recruited and promoted and to provide a breakdown of each of these figures for years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 [38483/10]

The Taoiseach

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Civil Service grades in my Department is set out in the following tables. The tables are based on head count and not whole time equivalents. The actual number of staff in my Department (WTE) has reduced by 26 since January, 2008 to date. The estimated net saving in 2010 accruing from the total reduction in staff levels in my Department since 2008 is approximately €1,543,651.

2008
Grade	Incentivised Retirement 2008	Other Departures 2008	Promotions 2008	New Recruits 2008
Assistant Secretary		1	0	1
Assistant Principal		3	0	1
Higher Executive Officer		3	0	0
Administrative Officer		0	0	1
Executive Officer		2	1	0
Staff Officer		2	3	0
Clerical Officer		5	0	7
Services Officer		1	0	1
Totals	Nil	17	4	11

2009
Grade	Incentivised Retirement 2009	Other Departures 2009	Promotions 2009	New Recruits 2009
Principal officer	0	2
Assistant Principal	1	6
Higher Executive Officer	0	3
Administrative Officer	0	3
Executive Officer	0	2
Staff Officer	0	2
Clerical Officer	0	4
Services Officer	0	1
Cleaner	0	1
Totals	1	24	Nil	Nil

2010
Grade	Incentivised Retirement 2010	Other Departures 2010	Promotions 2010	New Recruits 2010
Assistant Secretary	0	1	0	0
Principal officer	1	0	1	0
Assistant Principal	0	3	1	1
Higher Executive Officer	1	0	0	0
Administrative Officer	0	2	0	2
Executive Officer	0	3	0	0
Staff Officer	0	0	0	1
Clerical Officer	0	3	0	1
Temporary Clerical Officer	0	0	0	2
Services Officer	1	1	0	2
Totals	3	13	2	9

Cabinet Committees

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

100 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the date on which the Cabinet committee on strategic directions for the future of local government was set up and the number of times the committee has met since that date [38435/10]

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Strategic Directions for the Future of Local Government was set up on 13 January 2010 and has met some 16 times since.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

101 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39240/10]

The Taoiseach

The composition of the National Economic and Social Development Office, as set out in the National Economic and Social Development Act 2006, consists of the chairpersons and deputy chairperson of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP).

Following the dissolution of the NESF and NCPP, the Board is now comprised of the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Council only. As a result of the statutory provisions in the NESDO Act, the composition of the Board can only be changed by means of primary legislation.

In light of this and in order to ensure appropriate Governance is maintained, three members of the newly constituted NESC will be invited to attend Board meetings in an observer capacity.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

102 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39255/10]

The Taoiseach

The annual estimate provision for each of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 2009 and 2010 are detailed in the following table:

Agency	2006 (in ’000)	2007 (in ’000)	2008 (in ’000)	2009 (in ’000)	2010 (in ’000)
Central Statistics Office	84,761	54,900	51,130	53,640	57,832
NESDO	5,039	6,053	6,500	5,059	3,332

FÁS Training Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

103 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of face to face interviews carried out by FÁS in 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of applicants interviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38504/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The information requested by the Deputy is being researched. I will reply to him substantively in the matter as soon as possible.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

104 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money spent by the Residential Institutions Redress Board on advertising in the UK between 2002 and 2005; the number and type of publications in which these advertisements were placed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38561/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that the total amount expended by the Residential Institutions Redress Board on advertising in the UK between 2002 and 2005 was €519,120.

Between 2002 and 2005, in addition to the placing of advertisements in Sunday newspapers, daily newspapers and publications aimed specifically at the Irish community, 7,500 leaflets and 7,500 pamphlets were distributed to the network of Irish societies. The Board also held 12 information days throughout England.

In addition to advertising the actual Redress Scheme, the Board also placed advertisements in selected newspapers in the UK highlighting the two Ministerial Orders made in 2004 and 2005 which had the effect of extending the scheme to include additional institutions. Similar advertisements were placed in selected UK publications advising potential applicants of the closing date for receipt of applications.

A total of 68 entries were made in the following newspapers: 3 Sunday Publications which provided national coverage; 9 Local Newspapers; and 5 Irish interest publications.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

105 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons residing in the UK who were estimated to be eligible for compensation under the Residential Institutions Redress Board; the number of persons living in the UK that received compensation under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38563/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no mechanism by which my Department can accurately estimate the number of persons resident in the UK who may have been eligible to apply for compensation under the Redress Scheme. My Department does not have access to any information which would provide details of the current whereabouts of persons who may have been resident in a scheduled institution.

However, from statistics provided by the Redress Board, I can tell you that 4,576 UK based former residents have received compensation under the Redress Scheme up to the end of September 2010.

Higher Education Grants

John Deasy

Question:

106 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that social welfare recipients who change from one long-term social welfare payment to another long-term social welfare payment are being prevented from obtaining a third level grant top up due to a technicality in the system, whereby a combination of time on long-term social welfare payments is unacceptable for grant purposes; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who had to transfer from lone parent allowance to jobseeker’s allowance due to the age of their dependent and has been refused the top up allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38615/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

To qualify for the Special Rate of maintenance grant, an applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant in respect of the 2010/11 academic year. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed a specified amount, which is €22,703 in the 2009 tax year. Finally, on the operative date, 31st December 2009 for the 2010/11 academic year, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed under the scheme.

Where a person goes directly from one eligible social welfare payment to another, without a break in payment, the continuous period spent on both eligible payments is taken into consideration when assessing eligibility for the Special Rate of grant.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC.

Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority.

An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

107 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if any community employment scheme participants have been refused an extension for a further year on the basis that they are in receipt of a disability benefit [38623/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

108 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if any community employment scheme participants in receipt of either disability or one parent payments have requested and been refused an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38729/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.

The length of time a person can remain on Community Employment (CE) is dictated by a number of factors, in line with the guidelines for CE:

What age the person is

How long they have been in receipt of a qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment

Previous participation on CE since 3rd April 2000

Whether they are considered job-ready at the end of each year's CE participation

Budgetary limitations/place availability limitations.

The maximum participation limits for CE are three years for those under 55 years of age, and six years for those of 55 to 65 years of age.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-related DSP payment are eligible for one additional year on top of these two limits, i.e., four years for those under 55 and seven years for those of 55 to 65.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment for 12 months (on entry to CE) may participate on CE for one year before having to leave CE and re-qualify, subject to the age-related maximum participation caps above. In exceptional circumstances, a percentage of participants may be retained for an additional subsequent year, subject to budget limits and personal training needs.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment for three years or more (on entry to CE) may be eligible for up to three years on CE, subject to annual renewal, based on job-readiness assessment and personal training requirements. There is no entitlement to remain for the 3 years if the person is considered job-ready when assessed by the CE supervisor at the end of each annual contract.

FÁS has indicated that CE participants receiving Illness Benefit (previously known as Disability Benefit) and One Parent Family payment have requested and been refused an extension. However, FÁS does not gather statistics on the numbers of CE participants refused extensions, regardless of eligibility category or reason for refusal. The receipt of Illness Benefit or One Parent Family Payment has no bearing on the granting or otherwise of a further year on CE.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

109 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the changes envisaged for community employment schemes, particularly the role of community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39104/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

There are no proposals currently under consideration in regard to making changes to the national operation of Community Employment Scheme.

Within the current very difficult budgetary constraints, the number of places on CE have been increased to 23,300 in 2010. In delivering these places, FÁS will continue to operate flexibly in the management of this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market, while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.

Employment Support Services

Michael Noonan

Question:

110 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the procedures she has put in place to enable persons who feel entitled to moneys from the European Global Fund, for workers redundant from Dell and associated companies, to enable them to access the fund; to discuss their eligibility for certain payment; and to appeal decisions if they are adverse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39441/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

A dedicated EGF coordination unit has been established by FÁS to coordinate all services being provided to, or sought by, those redundant workers eligible for EGF support in the case in question.

Eligible supports include occupational guidance, training, upskilling, educational opportunities and enterprise supports supplied, as appropriate, by both public and private service providers.

The EGF coordination unit is charged with ensuring the effective and efficient management of EGF measures at local level. That function includes appropriately addressing and resolving problems encountered.

Each implementing body is understood to operate an EGF related appeals mechanism. For example, in the case of FÁS there is a written appeals system pertaining to all FÁS provided or supported EGF programmes with appeals being adjudicated on at Regional Director, or Assistant Director General levels, as appropriate.

Policy issues may be referred for advice, as appropriate, to the Department as the national EGF management authority. In addition, an EGF Steering Committee has been established, which includes representatives of the redundant workers, in order to provide advice and feedback on the implementation of EGF funded supports at local level.

School Staffing

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

111 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Louth will be allocated a third mainstream teaching post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39545/10]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

168 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the request for the appointment of a third mainstream teacher in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Louth [39265/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 168 together.

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level for this school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. The staffing schedule for the 2010/11 school year was published by my Department in March, 2010. The additional posts in the renewed Programme for Government enabled some improvement to be made to the staffing schedule. It is open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0021/2010 which is available on my Department's website.

I understand that the school referred to by the Deputies submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board which was considered by the Board at its meeting on 19 October 2010. The Board decided that a departure from the staffing schedule was not warranted in this case and the school has been notified in this regard. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Employment Support Services

David Stanton

Question:

112 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the location of centres operating the job fit scheme; the number of participants in each of these schemes; the funding made available in 2010 to operate the scheme; the way in which the scheme provides work experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38447/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Labour Market Activation Fund is designed to assist in the creation of innovative training and education provision by private, not-for-profit and public sector providers. It is targeted at specific priority groups among the unemployed, namely the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors — construction, retail and manufacturing sectors — with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed. Following an open tender competition in which 370 tenders were received, offers of funding were initially made to 26 organisations across the private, not-for-profit and public sectors to support specific training and education programmes for the priority groups.

An additional allocation of €12 million has been made available to the Fund, raising it to €32 million in all. This has enabled the Department of Education and Skills to offer funding to 33 additional projects. This will bring to almost 60 the number of projects throughout the country being supported by the Fund.

The job fit programme is being delivered in the following locations in Dublin at Blanchardstown, Smithfield and Tallaght and in Athlone, Castlebar, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. There are currently 694 participants on the various courses being provided and it should be noted that this figure exceeds the anticipated intake for October 2010.

Further courses will commence throughout the reminder of 2010 and in early 2011 and it is anticipated that a total of 1,500 participants will avail of the programme. A total sum of €7.03m funding has been allocated to the running of these programmes from start to their finish in 2011.

To ensure that programmes being funded are meaningful and will offer a qualification to individuals, programmes financed under the Labour Market Activation Fund are accredited.

Work experience is provided by local employers for periods of up to 4 full weeks, delivered flexibly according to employer and participants needs. Participants who successfully complete the programmes will receive recognised certification and these programmes will provide an opportunity for unemployed individuals to enhance their career prospects in a meaningful and realistic way and will provide a stepping stone for these people to pursue a career in their chosen profession. Of the start up number 51 participants have recently attained employment and this figure is expected to rise over the coming months.

Departmental Staff

Pat Breen

Question:

113 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers working on a temporary contractual basis as of 30 September 2010 in a county (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38453/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available on a county basis.

The managerial authorities of primary schools as at the 30th September had submitted claims for the payment of 302 retired teachers for work undertaken in a substitute capacity since the commencement of the current school year. These claims represent approximately 8% of the teachers engaged in substitute work for whom the managerial authorities have submitted claims.

In the case of Secondary Community and Comprehensive schools the managerial authorities had submitted claims for the payment of 74 retired teachers as at the 30th September for work undertaken in a substitute capacity since the commencement of the school year. This represents about 1.75% of the teachers engaged in substitute work for whom the managerial authorities have to-date submitted claims for payment.

The appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school managerial authorities.

My Department is arranging for an information note to issue to schools this week regarding the recruitment of temporary and substitute teachers.

I will arrange for a copy of the note to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs

Brian Hayes

Question:

114 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if circular 33 of 1979 has been replaced or updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38456/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The circular referred to by the Deputy provided the basis for additional posts in respect of remedial education in Post Primary schools in the 1979/80 school year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools for the current school year are published on my Department's website. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Redundancy Payments

Seán Power

Question:

115 Deputy Seán Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38489/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm that an application for redundancy has been received by my Department from the Special Needs Assistant referred to by the Deputy. Applications for redundancy are being received on an ongoing basis and are processed in date order of receipt. The application in question will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects

Arthur Morgan

Question:

116 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the plans her Department has to proceed with the construction of a permanent school building (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38497/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department is currently in negotiations regarding the acquisition of a suitable site for the school in question.

The progression of a project for the school from site acquisition and initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school at this time.

Higher Education Grants

Mary Upton

Question:

117 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38502/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department has facilitated the running of the course referred to by the Deputy in a PLC centre for the last number of years. It is accredited by Dundee University as the equivalent of a Level 8 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (Honours Bachelor Degree/Higher Diploma). My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes, three at third level, the Higher Education Grants (HEG) Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' (VEC) Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT) and one for students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC). The HEG Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department, the other three maintenance grant schemes are administered on a similar basis by the VECs. The PLC Scheme prescribes the terms and conditions of funding in respect of students attending approved courses in approved PLC Centres.

Under the terms of the PLC scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to previous academic attainment. Students attending the course to which the Deputy refers must hold the HND in Animation or relevant and equivalent qualification. As students entering the above course already hold the equivalent of a Level 6 qualification, they are not eligible for grants under the maintenance scheme for students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses.

I understand from the VEC concerned that prospective students are informed of the absence of grant support for the degree courses before they apply for places.

Departmental Agencies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

118 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an outline of each service provided by FÁS which falls within the remit of her Department; the projected expenditure of FÁS in 2010 for each area; the number of persons employed by FÁS in the delivery of these services, the number of persons assisted in each area in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38505/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The information requested by the Deputy is being researched. I will reply to him substantively in the matter as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

119 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed by the National Centre for Technology in Education; where personnel are based; the budget allocated to the NCTE; the way it will be used in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38507/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy may be aware, the ICT in Schools Programme addresses four broad areas, namely:

the provision of essential ICT infrastructure and networking within schools;

the provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools;

continuous professional development in ICT for teachers;

integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum relevant digital content and software.

As the Department's lead Agency for implementation of the Programme, the NCTE addresses each of these four areas in its work. It provides advice and support to schools in connection with some €43m in ICT Grants distributed since November 2009, and manages the engagement of schools with national procurement Frameworks. It funds the provision of a schools broadband service desk, which deals with any issues schools may have with their broadband service. Under its Teaching Skills Initiative, it offers a range of ICT related training programmes, providing more than 10,000 places annually (latest full-year figures indicate some 12,000 places were provided in 2009). The NCTE also funds the procurement of online digital reference content for schools and the operation of Scoilnet, the national portal for digital content in Irish Education. Scoilnet provides a central resource to teachers, pupils and parents, offering access to a growing repository of advice and information. The NCTE is currently running a programme of nationwide ICT in-service seminars for Post-Primary principals. Seminars for primary principals were also held.

In addition, the NCTE works with other organisations in the delivery of innovative pilot programmes (including the current deployment of 100Mbps broadband connections across a sample of 78 post-primary schools). The NCTE carries out its functions above with a staffing complement of 18 whole-time-equivalents, all based in Dublin City University in Dublin 9, and a budgetary allocation of €5.4m for the current year which includes the salary costs for all NCTE staff.

Preschool Services

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

120 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that have benefited each year from the early start programme since its introduction; the amount it costs annually; the type of supports provided to children participating in this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38508/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Barry Andrews)

The Early Start Pre-School Programme was established in 1994/95 in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk. Each pre-school class caters for a total of 30 children — 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon. The 55 classes now in place can cater for a total of 1,650 children. Each pre-school class has a teacher and a child care worker.

The programme is a one-year intervention scheme to meet the needs of 3 and 4 year olds who are at risk of not reaching their potential within the school system. The project involves an educational programme to enhance overall development, help prevent school failure and offset the effects of social disadvantage. Parental involvement is one of the core elements of the programme in recognition of the parent/guardian as the prime educator of the child and to encourage the parent/guardian to become involved in their child's education.

The enrolments and costs in providing the Early Start programme are set out below. The teachers involved in Early Start units are assigned by the individual school and my Department does not collect individual data on the teachers employed in the Early Start programme. Specific salary costs can't therefore be provided. The salary costs have been estimated based on the numbers employed, with reference to the salary scales prevailing each year. The estimated cost of the programme including salary costs is was €6.1m for the 2009/2010 school year.

Early Start Pre-School Approx Cost from 1994 to 2010
School Year	Enrolment	No. of Schools	No. of Teaching Posts & CCW’s	Cost of Early Start (excluding Teachers)	Cost of Early Start Teachers (Approx figures used)	Approx Total Cost
				€	€	€
1994/1995	369	8	13	191,267	409,500.00	600,767.00
1995/1996	1,593	40	56	1,013,565.88	1,812,830.32	2,826,396.20
1996/1997	1,566	40	56	1,121,913.90	1,848,000.00	2,969,913.90
1997/1998	1,558	40	56	1,169,074.51	1,904,000.00	3,073,074.51
1998/1999	1,538	40	55	1,230,493.60	1,925,000.00	3,155,493.60
1999/2000	1,613	40	56	1,279,300.60	2,044,000.00	3,323,300.60
2000/2001	1,619	40	56	1,793,370.29	2,240,000.00	4,033,370.29
2001/2002	1,492	40	56	1,801,727.61	2,296,000.00	4,097,727.61
2002/2003	1,529	40	56	1,881,083.28	2,520,000.00	4,401,083.28
2003/2004	1,565	40	56	1,978,780.28	2,744,000.00	4,722,780.28
2004/2005	1,603	40	56	1,734,783.48	2,912,000.00	4,646,783.48
2005/2006	1,603	40	56	2,226,922.90	3,080,000.00	5,306,922.90
2006/2007	1,598	40	56	2,320,296.31	3,248,000.00	5,568,296.31
2007/2008	1,583	40	56	2,462,086.05	3,600,000.00	6,062,086.05
2008/2009	1,572	40	56	2,520,043.18	3,472,000.00	5,992,043.18
2009/2010	1,535	40	56	2,473,718.57	3,584,000.00	6,057,718.57

Redundancy Payments

John O'Mahony

Question:

121 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been informed by the Department of the reason their redundancy payment has been reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38514/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The person the Deputy refers to was consulted by my Department in relation to the reduction of the redundancy payment. The consultation was by telephone. I will arrange for a written explanation to issue to the person in question.

Schools Building Projects

Liz McManus

Question:

122 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; if this school will be included in the 2011 capital programme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the conditions of the school has continued to deteriorate and that the planned extension and renovation for 2011 is essential; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38523/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department has recently received the Stage 2b (detailed design) submission for the project to which the Deputy refers. My officials are currently reviewing this documentation and will revert to the Board of Management when this review is complete.

The further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2011 and subsequent years. However, it is not possible to give a more indicative timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction at this time.

Higher Education Grants

James Bannon

Question:

123 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider an increase in the higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38532/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority.

An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

James Bannon

Question:

124 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for grant assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38533/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC.

Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority.

An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

James Bannon

Question:

125 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38537/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the assessing authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the specific grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

Schools Building Projects

Brian Hayes

Question:

126 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will have a permanent location and facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38559/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Officials from my Department are in on-going discussions with Naomh Fionnbarra GAA regarding a design solution for the School referred to by the Deputy. The GAA club have confirmed that they are agreeable, in principle, to surrendering their interest in the relevant land holding subject to technical issues being agreed. Once this acquisition is concluded, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

Higher Education Grants

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

127 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to put in place a scheme to allow students at private third-level colleges to avail of student grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38560/10]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

141 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason third level maintenance grants are not available to persons attending a college (details supplied) in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38712/10]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

157 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to a request from students in private third level colleges for their inclusion in access to the higher education grants scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39110/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 141 and 157 together.

The statutory framework for the Higher Education Grants Scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1969 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third level education in approved institutions. The institutions approved under the scheme are, generally speaking, publicly-funded third level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Each year, the Higher Education Grants Scheme specifies a list of institutions approved for the purposes of the scheme.

My Department provides very significant funding to publicly-funded third level institutions in the State. This funding is used to provide a very broad range of courses to meet both economic and societal needs. Private commercial colleges, in general, operate on a "for profit" basis and the State has no say in directing their operations. I have no plans to extend the scope of the student grant schemes to private colleges operated on a "for profit" basis at this time. My Department has received correspondence from the group referred to by the Deputy and a reply will issue shortly.

Schools Building Projects

Joe Costello

Question:

128 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when she will provide the new permanent school building for a school (details supplied) inDublin 7 [38567/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Officials from my Department are in ongoing discussions with Naomh Fionnbarra GAA regarding a design solution for the School referred to by the Deputy. The GAA club have confirmed that they are agreeable, in principle, to surrendering their interest in the relevant land holding subject to technical issues being agreed. Once this acquisition is concluded, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

School Evaluations

Arthur Morgan

Question:

132 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will amend the eligibility criteria for student grant support to ensure that families and parents solely reliant on payments under the non-means-tested illness benefit are entitled to the full support including the top-up payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38592/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students.

The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.

Illness Benefit is considered to be a short-term payment and, therefore, it is not included as an eligible payment for the purposes of the special rates of maintenance grant.

Schools Refurbishment

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

133 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when emergency works will be sanctioned for and commenced on a school (details supplied) in County Wexford which has made an application under the emergency works scheme 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38608/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

An application for funding under Emergency Works was submitted by the school in question. However, following an assessment of the application and in light of the nature and scale of the works involved it is not possible to provide funding at this time. It is open to the school authority to submit an application for these works under the next round of the Summer Works Scheme.

Higher Education Grants

Liz McManus

Question:

134 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by third level students in the processing of their applications for higher education grants; if her further attention has been drawn to the staff shortages in councils and vocational education committees that are contributing to these delays; her plans to resolve the issue [38612/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. I am aware that the timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received.

This year's student grant schemes include a number of significant administrative and service improvements aimed at addressing the issue of delays which include an initial roll-out of a new on-line grant application system. The new system, introduced in both Irish and English, is already now operating in 11 grant awarding authorities. Building on this initial phase for the current academic year, the ultimate aim will be to make it available to all applicants nationally.

The on-line system is part of a package of administrative and service improvements brought to the student grant schemes this year. Key among the other changes are a complete overhaul of the grant application form, streamlined administrative processes, advance payments to awarding authorities and publication of the grant schemes some two months earlier than last year.

Regarding the staffing position in Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and local authorities, the Deputy will be aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector, including in these bodies. Work prioritisation across different functions, and how available staff are deployed to execute those functions, are matters for the management of each VEC and local authority concerned.

Schools Building Projects

Simon Coveney

Question:

135 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress regarding a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when she expects each stage of the works to take place; if she will provide a timescale for the works and when she expects the project to be completed [38629/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. An application for a Disability Access Certificate (DAC) has been made to the Local Authority and a decision is pending. Once the DAC is received, and assuming no problems arise, it is envisaged that the project will then progress to tender and construction.

Special Educational Needs

John Deasy

Question:

136 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary, special and post-primary schools in Waterford city in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; the number of special needs pupils benefiting in Waterford city in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38652/10]

John Deasy

Question:

137 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary, special and post-primary schools in County Waterford in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; the number of special needs pupils benefitting in County Waterford in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38653/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants employed in Waterford City and County is not readily available. The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally in each of the past five years and on 30th September 2010 is available in the attached document. The details for each of the past five years are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The Deputy is aware that my Department is very supportive of the SNA scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and providing support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes. The SNA scheme will continue to be supported and the NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and resources will continue to be allocated to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.

Number of Special Needs Assistants
Year	Number of Special Needs Assistants in Primary schools	Number of Special Needs Assistants in Post Primary Schools, including VECs.
2005	6,273	1,021
2006	6,974	1,416
2007	8,038	1,786
2008	8,440	2,002
2009	8,392	1,950
30/09/2010	8,141	2,065

Schools Building Projects

At this point the only firm and absolute decisions taken by the Government are to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and the merger of particular counties. My Department has commenced work on the preparation of legislation so that it can be brought forward in 2011. Many of the detailed aspects of the restructuring, including the location of the headquarters of the new VECs, the number of representatives on each VEC and the number of administrative staff which each of the new VEC entities will have, will fall to be considered and worked through by my Department in conjunction with the VECs involved in any one merger before decisions are taken.

Schools Building Projects

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to confirm for the Deputy that education provision is being planned for children within the proposed new National Children's Hospital and my Department is liaising with representatives of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board regarding this provision. Provision is presently made to ensure that a measure of interim education is provided for hospitalised children in a number of hospital based schools. Such schools are supported by lower pupil teacher ratios of 10:1 which are designed to take into account the various needs and ages of the children concerned and their individual curriculum progress. It is planned that similar hospital based schooling will be provided at the new National Children's Hospital.

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

146 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38745/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The position is that the governance and day to day activities of the Institute concerned are matters for which the management authorities and the Governing Body of the Institute are responsible. My Department does not have any function in relation to the day to day operational affairs of the Institution or in relation to decisions about the programmes of study that it provides. It is my understanding that demand from students is a key factor in relation to such decisions and in the absence of a sufficient level of demand it may not be possible to offer a particular programme in any given year. It is also my understanding that each individual year of the programme referred to provides for a distinct level of certification.

Third Level Fees

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

147 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she can ensure that there will be no increase in student service charges at third level in 2011; if the student assistance fund will be applied to part-time students experiencing difficulties continuing their education; if she will commit to streamlining of the grants system for third level students to ensure ease of access for all and if she will commit to no reduction in maintenance grants for third level students [38751/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy will appreciate that the preparation of the Estimates is carried out on a strictly confidential basis and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals including the student service charge, the maintenance grant or the student assistant fund at this stage. However, all proposals made in relation to education expenditure will be considered in the context of the Budget.

In line with the Transforming Public Services agenda, it is intended that the student grants administration process will be streamlined to create one consolidated student grant scheme to be administered by a single grant awarding authority. The main objective of this reform of the administrative arrangements is to bring about greater simplicity and efficiency to the system. The new administrative arrangements will be fully customer focused to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of grants to those students who demonstrate an entitlement. The Student Support Bill, due to progress to Committee Stage shortly, will provide an enabling legislative framework for the provision of all student grants, facilitating the creation of the single consolidated grants scheme and underpinning the reform and streamlining of administration procedures for the management of the grant awarding process.

Community Employment Schemes

Richard Bruton

Question:

148 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the conditions under which persons can qualify for participation in community employment schemes and, in particular, any exclusion of persons performing casual work at weekends; and if he will ensure that such restrictions do not exclude persons who are trying their best by taking up casual opportunities that come their way [38823/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

FÁS has advised that the criteria for participating in the FÁS Community Employment Scheme (CE) are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments, and are as follows:

Part-time Integration Option (PTI)

One year version of CE for people aged 25 years and over who are receiving social welfare payments for 12 months or more.

Part-time Job Option (PTJ)

Three year version of CE, (based on annually renewable contracts) for people aged 35 years and over and who are receiving social welfare payments for 3 years or more.

The social welfare payments referred to above are:

Jobseekers Benefit (JB)

Jobseekers Allowance (JA)

One Parent Family Payment (OPFP)

Widows/Widowers Contributory Pension

Widows/Widowers Non-Contributory Pension

Deserted Wife's Benefit (DWB)

Farm Assist (FA)

Time spent in receipt of Carer's Allowance can also count towards the 12-month eligibility period (3 years for PTJ), but caring responsibilities must have ceased and the person must currently be in receipt of either JA, JB or OPFP.

The following are also eligible for participation on CE:

People aged 18 years or over (35 years or over for PTJ) and are currently in receipt of any of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Illness Benefit for six months or more

Travellers aged 18 years or over, who are unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance for any period (12 months for PTJ) or One Parent Family Payment for 1 year or longer. In the case of Travellers under 18 years of age, a minimum of 12 months spent in a Travellers Training Centre is enough for eligibility

All refugees aged 18 years or over, as authenticated by the Department of Justice and Law Reform, in receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protection

Persons aged 18 years or over inhabiting the offshore islands

Ex-offenders aged 18 years or over (35 years or over for PTJ) and referred by the Probation Service. Also, Ex-offenders aged 18 and over (35 years or over for PTJ) and not referred by the Probation Service and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit for a period of one year or more (3 years for PTJ). Time spent as a prisoner is regarded as reckonable when considering the duration unemployed

Persons aged 18 years or over referred by the Drugs Task Force.

Time spent on recognised training or employment programmes (such as a FÁS training course) can also be counted towards eligibility. Eligibility to participate on CE for both PTI and PTJ is linked to those in receipt of an Irish social welfare payment. Those persons not meeting the criteria under these options, or who are signing for credits, or receiving social welfare benefits from a different country, are not eligible to participate on CE.

FÁS has advised that, in assessing eligibility for CE, recipients of JA or JB are allowed a maximum of 30 worked days in the 12 months prior to commencing. CE is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. CE helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

CE is not designed to cater for short-term unemployed people as they are not as far removed from the open labour market as the main client group for the programme. To facilitate some short-term employment opportunities, breaks off the live register up to 30 days in total (i.e. 30 worked days) are permissible within the 12-month eligibility period, while still maintaining eligibility for CE. The reason for the 30-day live register break rule is to ensure that the programme responds to its primary target group of long-term unemployed clients. Many unemployed people engage in work of a temporary nature. If the programme were open to these individuals, there is a danger that people would leave their employment, albeit of a temporary nature, in order to participate in CE. This would be contrary to the objective of the programme and result in a Labour Market Intervention competing with the open labour market. In circumstances where breaks off the live register exceed 30 days, other interventions may be more appropriate than CE.

School Staffing

Shane McEntee

Question:

149 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will still be entitled to another mainstream teacher in 2011 [39018/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule for the 2011-2012 school year will be published on my Department's website in early 2011. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools who are dissatisfied with their staffing allocation and the appeals criteria are outlined in the staffing schedule (Primary Circular 0021/2010) for the current school year. The final staffing position for all schools for the 2011-2012 school year will ultimately not be known until the Autumn of 2011. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed for mainstream classroom teachers and any appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.

Schools Building Projects

Shane McEntee

Question:

150 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if two 16-teacher schools (details supplied) in County Meath will be built now that four acres of land have been recently purchased [39019/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

171 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39405/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 171 together.

I can confirm to the Deputies that the Patron of the school to which they refer has recently confirmed to my Department that he has acquired additional land adjacent to the school and a neighbouring school to facilitate an expansion of the accommodation provided at both schools. My Department considers that the provision of 16 mainstream classrooms plus appropriate ancillary accommodation in both schools will meet the needs of the area.

Projects for the schools have been assigned a band 1 rating and the progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.

Computerisation Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

151 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason post leaving certificate students and colleges were excluded form his announcement last week of funding for IT equipment (details supplied) [39024/10]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

153 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to her announcement on 15 October 2010, that 698 post primary schools would receive €21 million in grants for information and communications technology equipment, the reason 34 vocational educational committee schools have been excluded from this funding; the rationale behind this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39053/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together.

As the Deputies are aware, I recently announced the distribution of €20.75m in post-primary level ICT Infrastructure grants under the ICT in Schools Programme. These capital grants are designed to assist schools in the integration of ICT into teaching and learning in a curricular context from Junior to Senior cycles. At present, there is a particular emphasis on supporting the revised Maths curricula in tandem with the national rollout of Project Maths.

The PLC programme is a self-contained whole-time learning experience designed to provide successful participants with specific vocational skills to enhance their prospects of securing lasting, full-time employment, or progression to other studies. It caters for those who: have completed senior cycle education, and require further vocational education and training to enhance their prospects of employment or progression to other studies; are adults returning to education, who may not have completed the senior cycle, but are deemed by the provider to have the necessary competencies and capacity to undertake the programme.

The aim of the PLC programme is to provide participants with specific vocational skills. It is intended, therefore, that this programme will provide for a more intensive development of technical skills, including new technologies, combining opportunities for work experience, vocational studies and general studies. Providers must demonstrate a labour market justification for the programmes being proposed. Therefore programme content must be relevant to labour market needs and/or progression to further studies.

Staff are allocated to deliver PLC courses on the basis of a pupil teacher ratio (PTR) of 17:1. Enhanced PLC capitation of €185.38 in addition to the standard post-primary non-pay grants is provided, based on the number of approved places or enrolments in the previous academic year, whichever is the lower. The annual grant is intended to help defray overheads on PLC courses including repairs and maintenance. Learners who satisfy the terms of the PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme are eligible to receive maintenance grants. In this context, it would not have been appropriate to include PLC enrolments in the ICT Infrastructure Grants, which focus on second-level curricular contexts from junior to senior cycle.

Higher Education Grants

Michael Creed

Question:

152 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the Student Support Bill intends to provide financial assistance under the higher education grants scheme to students attending approved private third level education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39040/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Each year, the scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for grants purposes. Private commercial colleges operating on a "for profit" basis are not generally approved for grants purposes.

Section 8 of the Student Support Bill as published makes provision for the Minister, in certain circumstances and taking certain matters into account, to prescribe an educational institution as being an approved institution for grants purposes. However, I have no plans to extend the scope of the student grant schemes to private colleges operated on a "for profit" basis at this time.

Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 151.

John Cregan

Question:

154 Deputy John Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason her Department advised Limerick County Council to include a once-off way leave compensation payment when calculating means for the purpose of determining qualification for a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick [39074/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I understand that my Department received a general query from Limerick County Council with regard to treatment of way leave compensation for the purpose of calculation of reckonable means under the student grant schemes. The position as outlined in the application form and guidance notes is that disposal of assets and rights should be included in calculating reckonable income for grant purposes.

The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

John Cregan

Question:

155 Deputy John Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a course (details supplied) is not grant aided [39076/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The course referred to by the Deputy has not been approved as it has not been demonstrated that it represents academic progression from the qualification required for entry to the course.

Schools Refurbishment

Brendan Howlin

Question:

156 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received an application for funding in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; if this application can be expedited in the interests of safety and comfort for pupils and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39101/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 127.

Questions Nos. 158 and 159 answered with Question No. 139.

Departmental Expenditure

Johnny Brady

Question:

160 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent by her Department and also by any bodies under her Department’s jurisdiction in each of the last three years on the provision of Internet applications (details supplied); the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality Internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection [39127/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department has spent the following amounts in connection with internet applications in the past 3 years:

2007 — €2,267,000;

2008 — €2,294,000;

2009 — €1,412,000 .

These internet applications include my Department's website, the Display Energy Certificate website and the esinet portal, which supports the electronic transfer of data between schools and my Department. Each of the applications supported by esinet and all major enhancements to these applications are subjected to extensive user acceptance testing and are often piloted in a select number of schools before going live. Furthermore, the Department has a contract in place with an independent security company which provides six monthly security health checks on all our internet applications. This company also offers advice on data protection issues for these applications.

With regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the provision of internet applications is an operational matter for each individual body and the information is not collated centrally.

Education Provision

Tom Sheahan

Question:

161 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of an educate together school for the Kenmare area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39133/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As I previously indicated to the House, a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is currently being carried out under the Commission on School Accommodation. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. The Commission is due to report to me shortly at which time I will have to consider the policy matters and necessary arrangements and revised procedures that will need to be put in place.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. The study indicated that the requirement for additional primary provision in the short to medium term is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. The Kenmare area was not included in these initial identified areas.

Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional provision which will be required into the future. Overall school requirements in the area referred to will be considered in this context.

Schools Building Projects

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

162 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the building programme issues relating to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39151/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department is aware of the difficulties that have arisen between the school in question, the building contractor and the Consultant Architect that has resulted in delaying the satisfactory conclusion of this project.

The bulk of the funding due for payment under the terms of the contract between the school and the contractor for this project has issued to the school on foot of appropriate certification that certain works have been completed. This is a normal requirement before funding can be provided in relation to school projects. The dismissal of the Consultant Architect by the school authority has created difficulties in relation to final certification of the satisfactory completion of the project and, consequently, payment of the balance of funding due. Officials from my Department have recently written to the School Management Authority requested a meeting and as soon as a reply is received a meeting to discuss the ongoing difficulties will be arranged.

School Transport

Finian McGrath

Question:

163 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will support special needs pupils transport requirements (details supplied) [39167/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, facilitates the transportation of over 125,000 children to primary and post-primary schools each day including approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs. Children with special needs are eligible for School Transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/ special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Science criteria.

Bus Éireann endeavours to ensure that a reasonable level of transport service is provided for each eligible child. The safety of pupils travelling on school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and Bus Éireann. In some cases the service provided may include an individual taxi and escort where the child's care and safety needs are such that they warrant this level of support. In general, transport for children with special needs is provided from home to school and from school to home. The provision of school transport to and from respite services is not a feature of the scheme, rather it is a service which has evolved over time and transport has been availed of on an incidental basis.

There are complex, individualised transport arrangements required for the children availing of a school transport service to a respite centre. These attendance patterns do not fit into general school transport arrangements and there are potential safety risks which need to be addressed. School bus services do not have the flexibility to provide morning only, evening only, or services on certain days only for certain children and different days for others. While individual arrangements were put in place in some instances in previous years, the level of individual planning and monitoring that this type of service provision would involve is not provided for under the School Transport Scheme and difficulties have arisen with the continuing implementation of existing arrangements.

In light of this, an examination of the current position in respect of transport to and from respite centres has been initiated in conjunction with the HSE with a view to formulating clear policy guidelines on the matter. Aspects to be considered will include the location of respite services identified relative to existing school bus routes, clarity on responsibility for the child transferring between school transport and respite arrangements, the complexity and regularity of individual respite arrangements and cost.

All new applications for transport to respite, including the case referred to by the Deputy, are to be considered in the light of these guidelines.

Legislative Programme

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

164 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when the Student Support Bill will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39170/10]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

169 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce a centralised grants agency to replace the present multiple agency system in light of the increased number of applications; the savings projected to result from the creation of a single agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39394/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 169 together.

The Deputy will be aware that, in line with the Transforming Public Services agenda, it is intended that the student grants administration process will be streamlined to create one consolidated student grant scheme to be administered by a single grant awarding authority. The main objective of this reform of the administrative arrangements is to bring about greater simplicity and efficiency to the system. The new administrative arrangements will be fully customer focused to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of grants to those students who demonstrate an entitlement.

The Student Support Bill, due to progress to Committee Stage shortly, will provide an enabling legislative framework for the provision of all student grants, facilitating the creation of the single consolidated grants scheme and underpinning the reform and streamlining of administration procedures for the management of the grant awarding process. This reform programme has the potential to deliver a significant service enhancement benefit to student grant applicants through streamlined processes, greater consistency in dealing with applications, faster processing due to economies of scale and full implementation of the on-line applications system introduced in September 2010. It is anticipated that it will also deliver substantial administrative cost savings beyond the initial transitional phase. The extent of savings in each area will depend on the implementation mechanisms to be agreed following selection of the single grant awarding authority.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

165 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under her Department’s control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39233/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.

Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education & Skills — Board members as of October 2010
Name of Board	Total Board Members	Total appointed directly by Minister	Total appointed by Minister on nomination of other body
(CICA) Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse	7	7	0
COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta)	21	3	18
EFB (Education Finance Board)	9	4	4
FÁS (Foras Áiseanna Saothair)	10	10	0
FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council)	18	5	13
GDA (Grangegorman Development Agency)	15	7	7
HEA (Higher Education Authority)	19	19	0
HETAC (Higher Education and Training Awards Council)	15	5	10
IRCHSS (Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences)	12	10	0
IRCSET (Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology))	15	15	0
Leargas — The Exchange Bureau	9	8	1
NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment)	25	2	23
NCGE (National Centre for Guidance in Education)	10	2	8
NCSE (National Council for Special Education)	13	at least 6	up to 7
NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education)	There is no Board for the National Centre for Technology in Education
NEWB (National Educational Welfare Board)	13	1	11
NQAI (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland)	14	3	11
(RIRB) Residential Institutions Redress Board	12	12	0
(RIRC) Residential Institutions Review Committee	5	5	0
SEC (State Examinations Commission)	5	Commissioners are appointed by the Government on the nomination of the Minister
Skillnets Ltd	13	3	0
The Teaching Council	37	3	2

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

166 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the annual budget of each State agency under her Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39247/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information requested is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects

Emmet Stagg

Question:

167 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a successful contractor has been chosen for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare following the evaluation of the tender report [39264/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department recently received the Tender Report for the school to which the Deputy refers. Further clarification was required on a number of items in the report. This clarification is currently awaited. When this clarification is received and assessed, assuming that no issues arise, it is envisaged that the contract will be awarded and the project will progress to construction.

Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 111.

Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 164.

Departmental Contracts

Joan Burton

Question:

170 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the details of any contractual commitments her Department has to a company (details supplied) in respect of services rendered; to set out a schedule of any payments made to this company, including the exact date of these payments and their amount in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,and to date in 2010; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this company has been placed in examinership; if there are any outstanding payments due to this company; if the placing of this company into examinership has any impact on any such outstanding payments; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that many sub-contractors have provided goods and services to the State through the company and are still awaiting final payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39396/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

A contract existed between my Department and the company to which the Deputy refers in respect of works at the Navan Education Centre. The value of the contract was €255,023 inclusive of VAT. Payments totalling this amount have issued as follows:

16/9/09 = €118,805;

12/10/09 = €84,711.18;

23/9/10 = €19,107.73;

14/10/10 = €32,399.04.

I am aware that the company has been placed in examinership. As the Deputy will appreciate contractual matters involving sub-contractors and the company/Examiner are for resolution between these parties.

Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 150.

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 1.2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Physical Education Facilities

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

176 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Meath for a grant for a recreational hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39410/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which she refers renewed its application to my Department to proceed with the construction of a GP room and the conversion of the existing GP room to ancillary purposes. My officials raised some queries regarding the proposal with the school authority and are awaiting further information from the school authority in this regard. When this information is received, my Department will consider the application in the context of the available resources and competing demands for capital funding and convey a decision on the matter to the school authority.

Schools Building Projects

Ulick Burke

Question:

177 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the provision of a new school (details supplied) as the local board of management has provided a site as the present school is overcrowded, on a restricted site, with health risks for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39420/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2 rating.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

My Department understands that it is the Board of Management's intention to procure a site for a new school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including a project for this school, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. My officials have conveyed this position to the school authority.

In the meantime, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved devolved funding to the school authority to construct two classrooms to meet the school's immediate accommodation needs. My Department understands that it is the school authority's intention to construct two permanent classrooms with this funding on the school's existing site.

FÁS Training Programmes

Mary Upton

Question:

178 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that an issue (details supplied) is resolved as soon as possible and ensure that participants on the programme are given their full entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39446/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Minister does not have a role in the administration of individual cases. The administration of individual cases is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act 1987.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Michael Kennedy

Question:

179 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in relation to survivors of institutional child abuse whose claims came before the redress board, the number of claims that were refused on a year to year basis in the period 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, on the basis that the applicant was not a resident in an institution outlined in schedule A of the governing legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39447/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

While my Department is aware of the total number of applicants to the Residential Institutions Redress Board whose applications were unsuccessful, it does not have a breakdown indicating numbers who were unsuccessful on the basis that they had not been resident in a scheduled institution.

My Department has contacted the Board in relation to the Deputy's question and I understand that the records are not maintained in such a format as to allow this information to be readily accessed. I further understand that the retrieval and examination of such records would be a costly and labour intensive exercise for the Board. However, I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the Newsletters which appear on the Board's website — www.rirb.ie — and which provide regular updates in relation to the application and award process. The July 2010 edition of the Newsletter states that "by and large applications have been refused as, on the face of the documentation, the application was outside the Board's terms of reference as laid down in the 2002 Act. In other words, the applications did not relate to residential institutions as defined in the Act."

Special Educational Needs

Denis Naughten

Question:

180 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of whole time equivalent special needs assistants presently employed in the primary and post primary school system respectively; the corresponding figure for the last school year; the steps she will take to protect this service from budget cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39448/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I can confirm for the Deputy that there were 8,403 whole-time equivalent (wte) SNAs employed in Primary schools in September 2009 and 8,141 in September 2010. At post primary level there were 1,911 wte SNAs employed in September 2009 and 2,065 in September 2010.

I do not intend to comment on budgetary issues but I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department is very supportive of the SNA scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and providing support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes.

Higher Education Grants

Denis Naughten

Question:

181 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the qualifying criteria for the higher education grant top up; if exceptional costs such as mortgage repayments can be taken into consideration; if she will review the conditions of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39449/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

To qualify for the special rate of student grant, an applicant must qualify for the ordinary student grant in respect of the 2010/11 academic year. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed a specified amount, which is €22,703 in the 2009 tax year. Finally, on the operative date, 31st December 2009 for the 2010/11 academic year, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed under the scheme. There are no plans at present to extend the current arrangements. Any such extension could only be considered in the light of available resources and other competing demands within the education sector.

Flood Relief

Joe Carey

Question:

182 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance the progress made on introducing an early warning system for adverse weather conditions in view of the devastation caused during the winter of 2009 and early 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38681/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The issue of a national flood warning system was raised with me by a number of public representatives during the severe flood event of November 2009. At that time I gave an undertaking that the OPW would examine the issue and bring forward recommendations. The issue was re-iterated in the Fourth Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment Heritage and Local Government — The Management of Severe Weather Events in Ireland and related matters was published in July 2010.

Prior to the publication of the report of the Joint Committee in July, OPW had, already, commissioned a feasibility study on the provision of a national flood forecasting and flood warning system. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential benefits and assess the options for delivery of such a service. The study will also examine the procedures and infrastructure required for a flood forecasting and flood warning service including the resourcing installation, maintenance and operation of any possible system or systems. It is expected that the study will be completed in early 2011. An extensive consultation with the primary stakeholders has already been carried out as a central part of the overall feasibility study.

In parallel with the national study, existing catchment-based flood forecasting systems are being piloted at Mallow and Clonmel and a further assessment is being carried out on the Lee catchment. The extensive experience and knowledge gained from the practical operation of these local systems will be an invaluable guide to the present study of national requirements. Clearly the feasibility of any system or systems which the report may propose will be predicated on the ability to resource not only the commissioning of any such system, but critically, its ongoing implementation and operation.

Croke Park Agreement

John McGuinness

Question:

183 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the action taken by him from the date of acceptance of the Croke Park Agreement to establish cost saving measures; if all aspects of the deal are now being complied with; the changes made in his Department relative to the agreement; if staff numbers have been affected; if staff have been transferred from his Department or recruited from other Departments; the savings achieved because of the agreement. [39005/10]

John McGuinness

Question:

200 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the make up of the implementation body relative to the Croke Park Agreement; the list of nominating bodies and their nominees; if he has nominees on the body; if the private sector is represented on the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39006/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 200 together.

The Implementation Body provided for under the Croke Park Agreement comprises the independent chair, Mr. P.J. Fitzpatrick, whose appointment was agreed by the parties, and nominees representing both public service management and the Public Service Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The nominees to the Implementation Body from the Public Service Management side are Ciaran Connolly and Brendan Duffy from the Public Service Management Division of the Department of Finance, and Philip Kelly of the Department of the Taoiseach. The nominees from the Public Service Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are Mr. Seamus Cody, Ms. Sheila Nunan, Ms. Patricia King and Mr. Tom Geraghty. The Agreement is between Public Service Management as employer and the Public Service Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and does not provide for any external representation from the private sector on the Implementation Body.

The Implementation Body in its regular meetings has concentrated on establishing the sectoral implementation bodies provided for under the Agreement and on reviewing the sectoral Action Plans which have been submitted by each Government Department. These plans inform the Implementation Body on the significant changes proposed by public service management to achieve the reforms, efficiencies and savings needed in each sector. At its most recent meeting on 18 October, I understand that while noting that the proposals made may need to be revised in the light of, and to support, decisions taken by the Government in the overall budgetary process, the Implementation Body considered that the implementation plans submitted in respect of the Health Sector and the Local Government sector set out a clear and substantive list of identifiable actions for delivery. The Body requested additional information to be submitted in respect of the Education sector implementation plan. I understand the plans for the Health sector and the Local Government sector are being published on the websites of Department of Health and Children and Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government respectively.

The Government is determined that public service management will be proactive and ambitious in delivering on the full range of productivity and change measures envisaged in the Agreement, and accepted as necessary by all parties to it. Strong oversight by the Implementation Body will be an important factor in this.

The Agreement provides a sustainable framework to manage the provision and delivery of our essential public services in a period of unprecedented pressure on public resources. In this regard, the Exchequer Pay Bill is estimated to reduce by 8% in 2010 over 2009 while the number of public servants has reduced by almost 11,000 since March 09, resulting in significant savings in the public service paybill.

National Pensions Reserve Fund

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

184 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the full extent of the national pension reserve fund at this time in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39196/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) was established on 2 April 2001 under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 with the objective of meeting as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare pensions and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055. According to the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, which is responsible for the management and investment of the Fund and which publishes a report on the performance of the NPRF at the end of each quarter on the Commission's website www.nprf.ie , the value of the Fund at the end of September from 2005 to 2009 was as follows:

2005 €14.5 billion;

2006 €17.6 billion;

2007 €21.3 billion;

2008 €18.7 billion;

2009 €20.9 billion.

The latest published figure for the value of the NPRF in 2010 is to the end of June, when the value of the Fund was €24.1 billion. The quarterly report on the Fund for the third quarter is expected to be published shortly.

Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, the Exchequer is required to contribute a sum equivalent to 1% of GNP to the NPRF each year. In 2009, in addition to a statutory contribution of €1.6 billion, the Minister for Finance made an additional contribution of some €1.4 billion towards the cost of the NPRF's investments of €3.5 billion each in Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks plc, made at his direction as part of their recapitalisation. In addition, €1 billion in assets of university and non-commercial semi-state pension funds was transferred to the NPRF in 2009 and a further €1.1 billion in 2010. Legislation provides for the offsetting of these additional amounts against the statutory contribution in 2010 and following years.

Tax Code

John O'Donoghue

Question:

185 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers earning in excess of €100,000 per annum; the average of those in excess of that amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38472/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of income earners earning in excess of €100,000, estimated by reference to 2011 incomes, is estimated at 111,500. This represents approximately 5% of all income earners. The total gross income of income earners earning in excess of €100,000 is estimated at €20 billion. Some 63% of this group earn below €150,000 per annum. These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2008 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised. It should be noted that a married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

186 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance the amount the tax rate for those earning over €100,000 would have to be increased by for the Exchequer to save at least €3 billion without cutting social welfare, reducing child benefit, or introducing a property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38474/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2011 incomes, of a 1% point increase in the top rate of income tax for those with income over €100,000 would be of the order of €69 million. Consequently, the top rate of income tax would need to increase to 84% for tax units with income in excess of €100,000 to yield in the region of €3 billion in a full year. This estimate is based on confining the increased tax rate to the segment of income that is in excess of €100,000.

These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2008 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised.

It should be noted that a married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

Richard Bruton

Question:

187 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the concession provided by section 76 of the Finance Act of 1982 which provides for VAT relief in respect of the purchase of certain services; the reason this relief was introduced and if those reasons continue to justify the provisions of the section [38524/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that section 76 of the Finance Act 1982 inserted a new subsection (4A) in section 5 of the Value-Added Tax Act 1972. The measure dealt with the VAT treatment of the supply of services by barristers. When a barrister supplies a service he or she is not legally entitled to receive a fee in respect of that supply, even though appropriate steps may be taken at the time to secure payment. Accordingly, for VAT purposes, no part of the fee charged to the client may be regarded as consideration, which the barrister "becomes entitled to receive" in accordance with section 10(1) of the Value-Added Tax Act 1972, and no liability to tax arises by virtue only of the supply of the service.

Thus, section 5(4A) of the Value-Added Tax Act 1972 provides that a barrister's service is deemed to take place for VAT purposes when the consideration for the service is paid to him or her. Accordingly, a barrister will have no liability to VAT until he or she has both supplied a service and has been paid in respect of that supply. Also, the obligation to issue an invoice for the supply under section 17(1) of that Act does not arise until those two conditions have been fulfilled. In effect, the barrister operates VAT on a cash receipts basis. There is no cost, as such, to this measure, as the barrister must account for VAT when he or she has been paid in respect of a supply.

Jack Wall

Question:

188 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can apply for a tax free allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38551/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The restriction was originally provided for in section 17 of Finance Act 2006 and was significantly tightened in Section 23 of Finance Act 2010. Individuals are now subject to the restriction where they have adjusted income of €125,000 and claim specified tax reliefs of €80,000 or more. Those subject to the full restriction will pay an effective income tax rate of 30% in addition to PRSI and levies.

Financial Services Regulation

Sean Sherlock

Question:

192 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the country’s largest licensed home collection moneylender has acquired an additional 13,000 customers in the past year; his plans to introduce a system of regulation for debt collection agencies [38637/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In my role as Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing the regulation of financial institutions in Ireland. The day to day responsibility for the supervision of these financial institutions is a matter for the Central Bank which is independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions. The Central Bank issues licences to moneylenders on a yearly basis. The Central Bank has produced a Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders . Under this Code, moneylenders are required to prominently indicate the high-cost nature of the loan on all loan documentation where the APR is 23% or higher. The disclosure must take the following form:

Warning: This is a high-cost loan.

Moneylenders must also provide consumers, who demonstrate difficulty in meeting their repayments, with information on debt counselling services such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service which provides free independent advice and guidance.

Other provisions of the Code cover a range of areas including:

Unsolicited contact and unsolicited credit facilities,

Handling complaints,

Arrears and guarantees, and

Debt collection.

The Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 provides some protection to consumers against inappropriate methods of collecting repayments. Under section 11 of that Act, it is an offence to demand payment of a debt in a way designed to alarm, distress or humiliate. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provisions of that Act rests with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.

The Deputy may wish to note that, in the case of financial institutions which use debt collection firms, the Central Bank has imposed requirements, under its Consumer Protection Code, that offer protection to consumers. This Code obliges the regulated financial institutions that it covers to ensure that any outsourced collection activity complies with the requirements of the Code. This means that outsourced activity should uphold principles in the Code such as the requirement for institutions to:

not exert undue pressure or undue influence on a customer,

act honestly, fairly and professionally and with due skill and diligence in the best interests of its customers, and

prohibit personal visits to or oral communications with consumers except in specified circumstances.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the National Consumer Agency provides extensive information on its website and through its helpline to help consumers avoid getting into debt difficulties. The Agency also provides information for those at risk of not being able to meet loan repayments.

Public Procurement Policy

Joan Burton

Question:

193 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that may be caused for the small and medium enterprise sector as a result of the appointment by the national procurement service of a single supplier of office products; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this could cause significant lay-offs in the indigenous SME sector; the strategies he has in place to ensure that with more centralised and globalised purchasing of supplies and equipment that local suppliers here are not disadvantaged; the proportion of public procurement in each of the past five years which was derived from sources outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38656/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The National Procurement Service (NPS) is currently engaged in a tender process for the procurement of Stationery and Office Supplies. This process is now at evaluation stage as the closing date for receipt of tenders was Tuesday 26 October 2010. No award has yet been made to any party.

The NPS is anxious to support SMEs and to this end included the following text in the Request for tender (RFT) of the Stationery and Office Supplies tender. It was felt that this strategy would enable SMEs participate in the process. "NPS policy seeks to encourage participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in this Competition. SMEs that believe the scope of this Competition is beyond their technical or business capacity are encouraged to explore the possibilities of forming relationships with other SMEs or with larger enterprises. Through such relationships they can participate and contribute to the successful implementation of any contracts, agreements or arrangements that result from this Competition and therefore increase their social and economic benefits. Larger enterprises are also encouraged to consider the practical ways that SMEs can be included in their proposals to maximise the social and economic benefits of the contracts that result from this tendering exercise”

The division of this tender into three distinct lots has also increased the possibilities for SMEs to tender individually, or form consortia that can enter competitive bids to win this State contract.

Utilising this approach has significantly increased the opportunities for Irish SMEs to compete in this tender process.

It should be noted however, that aggregating demand for a contract of this size, for low risk low value goods can yield substantial cost and administrative savings for the Exchequer as well as minimising legal exposure to the State, particularly in light of the recently transposed Remedies Directive.

Although the NPS views aggregation of requirements across the public sector as a significant contributor to delivering better value, the aggregation of demand is not suitable for all markets and categories. Before undertaking any major procurement project or entering a new procurement category, the NPS will make use of the optimum strategy for the particular market, and, where it is deemed appropriate and practical, the NPS will use framework agreements, or divide requirements into lots, when tendering for goods and services.

The NPS is fully cognisant of the difficulties SMEs are undergoing and as part of its strategy of training has provided procurement seminars to this sector. Furthermore, the NPS works closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that the maximum number of opportunities are made available to SMEs in all tender processes.

The number of non-domestic suppliers winning public procurement contracts in Ireland has been the subject of recent controversy.

The EU Commission released a statistic, suggesting that 17% of the number of contracts awarded in 2008 went to suppliers outside the jurisdiction. However, this statistic is based on incomplete data relating only to above threshold procurements, where contract notices were published, and the nationality of the winning tenderer disclosed.

When one compares the value (as opposed to the number) of contracts going to non-Irish companies in 2008, the figure actually amounts to less than 5% of the overall public spend on procurement. It should also be noted that the figures quoted by the EU Commission do not distinguish between companies in the UK and those based in Northern Ireland, so of the contracts going "abroad", many of the contracts may have stayed on the island of Ireland. The European Commission agrees that an alternative interpretation of their figures is that "about 95% of all procurement by value was from domestic suppliers".

Due to the incomplete nature of these statistics, it would be unwise to draw any conclusions from them, but from the information available, it would appear that the figure of 5% by value going to overseas companies has been broadly consistent over the years since 2005.

Fiscal Policy

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

194 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the percentage loss of consumer spending power resulting from tax and price index changes since the budget of October 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38675/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Taking into account the various indirect tax changes, the consumer price index fell by 5.9 per cent between October 2008 and September of this year, thus supporting consumer spending power. Over this period there have been some increases in direct taxes, notably with the introduction of the income levy. However, it is not possible to say what the precise impact has been as this would require an assessment of various income deciles etc. What is clear is that overall price levels have fallen and thus supporting living standards economy wide.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

195 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance in respect of Anglo Irish Bank, the value of bonds, both senior and subordinated, that matured and were redeemed at full face value in the period between September 2008 and September 2010; the number and the negotiated price paid for bonds, of any variety, which were redeemed prior to maturity in the period between September 2008 and September 2010; if there is any reason this information should be withheld from the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38676/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables following:

1. Value of bonds that matured and were redeemed at full face value in the period between September 2008 and September 2010:

Type	Value
	€
Senior Bonds	14.6 bn
Subordinated Bonds	Nil

2. Subordinated Debt Bought Back Prior to Maturity (30/09/2008-30/09/2010)

	Nominal Repurchased	% of par value
	€
Dated Subordinated Debt
€750m Floating Rate Subordinated Notes 2014	388,295,000	55%
Total	388,295,000
Undated Subordinated Debt
Stg £200m Step-up Callable Perpetual Capital Securities	205,355,421	27%
Stg £250m Tier One Non-Innovative Capital Securities	249,686,277	27%
€600m Perpetual Preferred Securities	403,247,000	27%
Stg £300m Step-Up Perpetual Subordinated Notes	295,892,665	37%
€600m Fixed / Floating Perpetual Preferred Securities	525,741,000	27%
Stg £350m Fixed/Floating Rate perpetual Preferred Securities	390,760,765	27%
	2,070,683,128
Total	2,458,978,128

3. Senior Bonds: Bought Back Prior to Maturity (30/09/2008-30/09/2010)

Notional Amount Issued	Final Maturity	Nominal Repurchased	% of par value
€		€
1,250,000,000	25/01/2012	73,000,000	94%
3,685,000,000	09/09/2010	75,000,000	99.87%
1,000,000,000	11/02/2011	29,683,121	93.5%
		177,683,121

Notes:

The exchange rates used are as of the final day of the month of the "buy-back" for the corresponding bond.

All the bonds repurchased are accounted for in the bank's published financial reports.

Motor Industry

Joe McHugh

Question:

196 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the number of cars that were re-registered here in 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of cars on waiting lists for re-registration; to provide this information on a test centre-by-test centre basis in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38677/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 45,055 used vehicles were registered in the State in 2009. In so far as 2010 is concerned, up to 30 September 2010, a total of 30,115 used vehicles had been registered in the State. The requirement to have all used vehicles presented for pre-registration examination has presented some new challenges for both Revenue and the NCTS. In consultation with other stakeholders, e.g. the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association Ltd (FTMTA), Revenue and the NCTS are facing these challenges and have implemented some revised procedures to speed up the registration process. For example, the NCTS have recently put procedures in place to provide additional capacity in their centres, including extending the opening times in some centres. Moreover, the NCTS are at an advanced stage in the configuration of two additional centres for registration purposes, one in Carrick on Shannon and one in Donegal Town, in order to address current delays in the northwest of the country. It is now expected that these two centres will commence operation in the week commencing 22 November. Revenue are also examining the possibility of providing electronic facilities for the registration of used vehicles that have been subjected to a pre-registration examination.

Figures provided by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) to the Commissioners show that 4 centres have people waiting to receive a pre-registration examination appointment. These, together with the number of applicants, are shown in tabular format below.

Centre	Number
Letterkenny	225
Dundalk	5
Monaghan	2
Sligo	26

Additionally, at lunchtime on Friday 23 October, the waiting time for appointments for the pre-registration examination of vehicles in each of the National Car Test centres were as follows:

Centre	Next Available Appointment (Days)
Arklow	6
Carlow	5
Northpoint 2	11
Dundalk	17
Ennis	6
Enniscorthy	4
Galway	4
Kilkenny	4
Letterkenny	17
Limerick	6
Monaghan	13
Kells	10
Nenagh	5
Naas	12
Skibbereen	4
Sligo	17
Tralee	6
Tullamore	9
Waterford	9
Westport	12
Blarney	12
Greenhills	9

Budget Submissions

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

197 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a pre-budget submission from the Irish Farmers Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38713/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have received a pre-Budget submission from the Irish Farmers Association. Its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

198 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the proposals contained in a document (details supplied) regarding the upcoming budget [38720/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have received a pre-Budget submission from the practice mentioned in the details suplied. Its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.

Local Authority Rates

Joe Carey

Question:

199 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance if funding will be made available to the Valuation Office to enable them to carry out a full revision of rateable valuations of properties in County Clare similar to that carried out in South Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38740/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Valuation Act, 2001 which came into effect on 2nd May, 2002, provides for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property in the State. The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters under the Act, which includes the implementation of the revaluation programme. This is a major project in nature and scale, all the more so given that such a nationwide exercise has not been undertaken since the mid-1800s. The programme began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area and has since been rolled out to the areas covered by Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils. It is intended to roll out the programme to further local authority areas, including County Clare, as soon as possible. The necessary process of consultation, as provided for under the Act, is under way in Dublin City and in the local authorities of Waterford, i.e. Waterford City and County Council and Dungarvan Town Council. Preliminary work is also underway on the revaluation of Limerick City.

The purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system and following completion of the initial national revaluation programme, I am satisfied that there will be a much closer and uniform relationship between rental values of property and their commercial rates liability and that this relationship will thereafter be maintained by means of the recurring revaluations provided for in the Act.

The funding for the revaluation project in general is being provided in the normal way through the Valuation Office Vote allocation. At this stage, it is not envisaged that additional resources will be required to undertake the project which is an integral part of the Valuation Office work programme.

Question No. 200 answered with Question No. 183.

Budget Submissions

Joe Behan

Question:

201 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Finance if he or officials of his Department have met with representatives of the tobacco industry to discuss Budget 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39020/10]

Details of the periods of appointment and annual salary rates payable to Ministers and Ministers of State appointed to the Department of Finance since 2004 are set out below for information of the Deputy.

Annual Salary Rates
	Minister	Minister of State
	Office Holder	TD Salary	Total	Office Holder	TD Salary	Total
	€	€	€	€	€	€
01/01/2004	95,890	80,457	176,347	41,844	80,457	122,301
01/07/2004	97,808	82,066	179,874	42,681	82,066	124,747
01/12/2004	99,764	83,707	183,471	43,535	83,707	127,242
01/06/2005	101,260	87,247	188,507	44,188	87,247	131,435
01/07/2005	105,057	87,247	192,304	45,845	87,247	133,092
01/12/2005	106,633	88,556	195,189	46,533	88,556	135,089
01/01/2006	110,488	88,556	199,044	48,215	88,556	136,771
01/06/2006	113,250	90,770	204,020	49,420	90,770	140,190
01/12/2006	116,648	93,493	210,141	50,903	93,493	144,396
01/06/2007	118,981	95,363	214,344	51,921	95,363	147,284
01/03/2008	121,956	97,747	219,703	53,219	97,747	150,966
01/09/2008	125,005	100,191	225,196	54,549	100,191	154,740
01/01/2010	98,745	92,672	191,417	46,594	92,672	139,266

Appointees
Minister	Minister of State
Period	Appointee	Period	Appointee
26 June 1997 to 29 Sept 2004	Mr Charlie McCreevy TD	19 June 2002 to 12 June 2007	Mr Tom Parlon TD
29 Sept 2004 to 06 May 2008	Mr Brian Cowen TD	13 June 2007 to 13 May 2008	Mr Noel Ahern TD
07 May 2008 to date	Mr Brian Lenihan TD	14 May 2008 to date	Dr Martin Mansergh TD
		23 March 2010 to date	Mr Dara Calleary TD

Similar salary rates are payable to Ministers and Ministers of State across all Departments of State. Details of those appointed and their periods of appointment is a matter for the relevant Department in each case.

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

Question:

205 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the salary on the basis of which pension rights and gratuity will be calculated for persons who retire during the course of 2011 [39072/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

On 18 June last, I signed the Public Service Pension Rights Order 2010 (S.I. 302/2010) which extends by a year the period within which the superannuation benefits of retiring public servants will be unaffected by the pay adjustments set out in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No.2) Act 2009. The period now runs to 31 December 2011.

Departmental Expenditure

Johnny Brady

Question:

206 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent by his Department and also by any bodies under his Department’s jurisdiction in each of the last three years on the provision of Internet applications (details supplied); the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection [39126/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tables:

Department of Finance
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
2008	€2,528.90 (spent on updating some graphic design elements of www.gov.ie)	N/A

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

The Revenue Commissioners continues to be at the leading edge of eGovernment initiatives both across the breadth of the public service in Ireland and worldwide from a tax administration perspective. This has been recognised externally by the fact that the Revenue On-Line Service (ROS) has won numerous awards, including a Central eGovernment Award and an Inspired IT Award. Improvements in PAYE service delivery won a Taoiseach's Public Excellence Award and an Innovating Government Award for Services to Business.

Since 2005 Revenue has treated the development of internet applications as an integral element of all business projects. Since that time many initiatives have been implemented that have internet application components.

Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
2008 2009 2010	€3.081 Million €3.121 Million €1.088 Million	Revenue employs strong governance, including the operation of a Programme Management Office, which enables effective and accountable management of projects throughout their lifecycle. All Revenue projects use the Revenue Delivery Method, based on international standards, as a comprehensive guideline for delivery of high-value ICT solutions.
		Revenue is committed to providing websites that are accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. Its existing generation of websites strive to achieve “Triple-A” accessibility as per the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. The ROS website has recently undergone a full audit by recognised accessibility experts and Revenue are fully committed to implementing the resulting recommendations as part of its development programme.
		Revenue’s next generation developments are in line with WCAG 2.0 standards where appropriate. To validate conformance against the WCAG 2.0 Level AA checkpoints, some services have recently undergone audits by recognised accessibility experts. In addition, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland has carried out detailed user trials. The recommendations of these audits and user trials have been implemented resulting in further accessibility improvements..
		Revenue’s public facing applications are formally certified to ISO 27001 security standards. In 2009 Revenue was the subject of an audit by the Data Protection Commissioner. The audit found that Revenue was in compliance with all data protection obligations.

Costs given cover Revenue's public facing website (www.revenue.ie ) and its associated transactional services such as ROS and PAYE Anytime. It does not include those back-office services that are also part of the overall business solution. Costs of internal intranet services were of the order of €480,000 in total over the three years.

NDP Information Office
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
2008 2009 2010	€8,136.50 €2,600 €375.10	Amount supplied to Fusio Ltd for the hosting & maintenance of the NDP website. The contract was awarded on the basis of the website being accessible, fully secure and data protected, and on the understanding that Fusio would be available to provide back-up technical support.

Office of the Ombudsman
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
2007 2008 2009	€9,500 €39,000€36,000	The Office’s websites are audited every two years for accessibility and usability and an IT Security audit was recently conducted. The contract for website technical assistance is currently under review.

Public Service Appointments
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
200720082009	€136,460€28,340€36,450	The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has developed the www.publicjobs.ie website to provide information on public service career opportunities, to provide information to potential candidates on the public service recruitment process and to handle online applications. The platform is widely used by the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and Education Sectors. We retained the services of the National Disability Association throughout these developments to provide quality assurance on accessibility of the site for people with disabilities. The security and integrity of the online services are regularly verified by external security experts. PAS complies with the Data Protection Code of Practice.

Valuation Office
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
200720082009	€22,760€48,339€25,846	All Website developments are in line with e-Government Requirements. Our Web developers were initially recruited by Tender process. There are annual performance reviews in place to ensure value for money and required results. Our website is hosted by Eircom on their secure data centre in City West. Our website complies with WCAG accessibility guidelines.

National Treasury Management Agency
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
200820092010	€24,097€6,405€5,303	All of the Agency’s web sites are designed and built to meet the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Open Standards for accessibility. In addition, in line with recognised industry approaches, the web sites are designed to assist sensory impaired users through the use of the following: An assistive accessibility technology (BrowseAloud) to aid users with literacy and visual impairments in the use of the web sites and a disability simulator tool (aDesigner) which assists web designers to ensure that their web pages are accessible and usable by the visually impaired.

Special EU Programmes Body
Year	Amount spent on Internet applications	Supply details of the processes in place to ensure that such funds have been spent on good quality internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection.
200720082009	Nil€162,837€48,974	In respect of the 2007 Systems Database the contract for the provision of the Systems 2007 database was awarded following a comprehensive procurement exercise which was conducted by Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland. Stipulations contained within the Terms of Reference ensured that the database would comply with all relevant and future standards, policies and directives in the areas of Quality; Information Governance (which includes data protection); and Systems Security. Ongoing monitoring of database is completed by DFP. In line with Public Expenditure Requirements, the SEUPB adhered to a robust procurement process for the award of this contract. The process comprised an open tender competition to ensure quality and value for money was achieved. Tender submissions were scored against a range of criteria including: Application Security and Effectiveness of the Proposed Solution. A number of mandatory stipulations within the Terms of Reference required that providers demonstrate adequate security levels and audit trails to protect the integrity of website and associated server. A range of additional security measures were also identified. It also required that providers comply with international standards and best practice in terms of accessibility. Standards adhered to include: WAI-AA and National Disability Authority of IrelandGuidelines. The SEUPB adheres to an Accessibility Statement which demonstrates the body’s commitment to ensuring the accessibility of information sources.Accessibility and Security is monitored on an ongoing basis by the SEUPB IT and Communications teams.

In relation to Special EU Programmes Body the Expenditure on the Internet applications is attributable to both the Department of Finance and The Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland.

I have been informed by the Office of Public Works that it is currently collating the data requested by the Deputy and as soon as this process is completed they will forward the data directly to the Deputy.

Johnny Brady

Question:

207 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or any bodies under its jurisdiction provide or oversee the provision of financial support to businesses, charities or other public service organisations that are directly or indirectly used to assist those organisations with their marketing promotion or service delivery on the Internet; if so the processes in place to ensure that such funds are used to provide good quality Internet applications in terms of accessibility, security and data protection [39129/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

My Department does not directly provide or oversee the provision of financial support to businesses, charities or other public service organisations that are directly or indirectly used to assist those organisations with their marketing promotion or service delivery on the internet. I have been informed by the Special Eu Programmes Body that there are opportunities for businesses, charities or other public service organisations to avail of funding for the purpose of assisting with marketing promotion or service delivery on the internet under the PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes.

Whilst funding is not ‘ring fenced' or allocated specifically for this purpose, there are opportunities for projects to receive grant funding for internet related activities should they satisfy the defined selection criteria of the relevant Programme. Calls will be made for funding applications throughout the Programming period (2007-2013) as required and in line with normal public expenditure requirements, all applications are subject to a robust and defined assessment process.

It is the responsibility of the lead project partner to implement the project and therefore ensure that any accessibility, security and data protection requirements are met. That said, the SEUPB can and does issue guidance to project partners relating to procurement and tendering to ensure that quality and value for money is achieved. The SEUPB can also, where particular concerns arise, include specific conditions within the Project's Letter of Offer. The SEUPB or relevant implementing body will then monitor the implementation of the project against the conditions and outputs outlined within the Letter of Offer on a quarterly basis.

In addition to funding provided directly for the purposes of internet related activity, all project receiving PEACE III and INTERREG IVA funding must satisfy a number of communication and publicity requirements in line with European Regulation.

Relating to internet activity, projects are obliged to create a dedicated webpage for the project. It is the responsibility of the lead project partner to ensure that provisions for security and data protection are taken into account. However, the SEUPB, in its role as Managing Authority for the PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes, does organise a number of communications and publicity workshops throughout the year which focus on issues such as internet development, dissemination of information, security, and management. As outlined above, projects will also be obliged to comply with a Procurement and Tendering Guidance Note in the purchasing of internet or related services.

Company Takeovers

Tom Sheahan

Question:

208 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Finance if he will give permission for the takeover of a company (details supplied) by another to guarantee its sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39134/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The operation of the Biofuel MOTR scheme is in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. However, my Department has consulted with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the details supplied and on the issues raised therein. Following those consultations, a letter issued from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 20 September, setting out the position.

Tax Code

Mary Upton

Question:

209 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to capture tax from on-line and other forms of betting where tax is not now payable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39138/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have stated previously that it is my intention to widen, if possible, the tax base on which betting duty would be applied. Bets placed either online or over the phone are generally with out-of-State companies so applying betting duty is therefore problematic. My officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, are looking at the scope to overcome legal and operational difficulties in this area. Any extension of betting duty will be applied on a fair basis and should not be perceived as an attempt to threaten jobs. Also, tax changes will be in tandem with ongoing work by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on issues surrounding licensing and regulation.

National Monuments

Mary Wallace

Question:

210 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide additional facilities at the Interpretive Centre at the Hill of Tara, County Meath; if play facilities for children will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39144/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

Basic interpretative facilities are provided on the Hill of Tara. Given the funding situation, there are no further plans, at present, for additional facilities at this site.

Mary Wallace

Question:

211 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide additional facilities at the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, County Meath; if play facilities for children will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39145/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

Improvements are being made on an on-going basis as resources permit. Further progress has been made this year on the restoration of the Walled Gardens and associated structures.

A children's playground would be a desirable additional amenity and plans have been advanced. It is hoped to apply to the Local Authority for the necessary planning permission in the near future.

Denis Naughten

Question:

212 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 6 July 2010 the progress on the provision of signage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39157/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

Tender documents are being prepared for the design and fabrication of interpretation panels for the National Monuments at Rathcroghan. The signs will be erected next year.

Credit Availability

Niall Collins

Question:

213 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date by banks (details supplied) in lending the €3 billion each per annum by industry sector and by geographical region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39161/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Deputy will be aware that my Department and Mr. Trethowan of the Credit Review Office receive monthly progress reports from the two banks which allow us to monitor their lending to viable businesses in all sectors of the economy and in every area of the country. This information is commercially sensitive. The banks have 12 months to reach their targets and the overall results of their activities will be published in due course. In addition to the monitoring, the Credit Review Office reviews decisions of banks to refuse credit on application from the customer to ensure that the banks are not refusing to lend to viable businesses.

Mr. Trethowan's first quarterly report was of course published and I intend publishing his next report when it is received.

Niall Collins

Question:

214 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the number of loan or credit refusals investigated by the Credit Review Office to date, the result of these reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39162/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Finance
Body Name	Number sitting on the Board
Adjudicator for Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme, Teachers Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme, Gardaí Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme and Defence Forces Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme.	6
Anglo Irish Bank	6¹
An Post National Lottery Company	7
Central Bank Commission	9-12
Civil Service Disciplinary Appeals Board	3
Credit Union Advisory Committee	7
Decentralisation Implementation Group	6
Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal	5²
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development	1
European Investment Bank	3
Financial Services Ombudsman Council	7
Independent Mediation Officer for the Civil Service Grievance Procedure	1
Irish Nationwide Building Society	See note 3
International Monetary Fund	1
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal	7
National Development Finance Agency (NDFA)	8
National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission	7
National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee	7
National Asset Management Agency	9
Outside Appointments Board	5
Public Appointments Service Board	9
Sealúchais Árachais Teoranta	2
State Claims Agency Policy Committee	7
Valuation Tribunal	20

1. There is no set number of board members for Anglo Irish Bank

2. There is no set number of members for the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal.

3. There is no set number of board members appointed to the Board of Irish Nationwide Building Society.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

219 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39250/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The annual budgets for the civil service agencies which come under the aegis of my Department are published in the book of estimates each year. The annual budgets for the other State Agencies which come under the aegis of my Department are set out below.

National Treasury Management Agency

The following figures include the budgeted costs in respect of the National Asset Management Agency for which the National Treasury Management Agency will be reimbursed by the National Asset Management Agency

Year	Budget for year
	€m
2006	30
2007	34
2008	38
2009	43
2010	60

Special EU Programmes Body

The following information has been supplied by the Special EU Programmes Body in relation to budgets for 2006-2010. The information supplied is based on budget allocations as outlined within the respective Annual Special EU Programmes Body Business Plans as agreed by the North South Ministerial Council.

Table 1 below outlines the financial resources in respect of administration and operating costs which are provided via an agreed budget with Sponsor Departments. It should be noted that these budgets are apportioned in various combinations between the Department of Finance and the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Table 1: Special EU Programmes Body Annual Budgets 2006-2010
Year	Administration / Operating Costs Budget for Year€’000	Apportionment of Costs	Exchange Rates
2006	3,218	56% North: 44% South	(€1: £0.69)
2007	3,345	56% North: 44% South	(€1: £0.69)
2008	4,064	53% North: 47% South	(€1: €0.67)
2009	3,762	55% North: 45% South	(€1: €0.78)
2010	2,533	53% North: 47% South	(€1: £0.89)

The Special EU Programmes Body is also responsible for the management of a significant amount of Programme funds under the current (2007-2013) and previous (2000-2006) funding periods. The budgets as outlined within the respective Business Plans are outlined in Table 2 below. Annual budgets associated with these Programme funds are based on the value of the Euro funds required for the Central Payments Unit to make payment requests to projects to cover European N+2 expenditure targets as set down within the Operational Programmes. These figures also take into account any advance payments required by projects.

Please note that the figures outlined within Table 2 reflect European Regional Development Fund and match contributions for Ireland and Northern Ireland. Funding for Tripartite projects under the INTERREG IVA Programme would also contain an element of Scottish Match funding.

Table 2: Total Annual Programme Expenditure of the Special EU Programmes Body
Year	Programmes Budgets €’000	Exchange Rates
2006	294,689¹	(€1: £0.69)
2007	111,597²	(€1: £0.69)
2008	21,474³	(€1: €0.67)
2009	52,159⁴	(€1: €0.78)
2010	67,659⁵	(€1: £0.89

Note: Business Plans 2006 and 2007 did not outline agreed Programme Costs in the same format as Business Plans 2008, 2009 and 2010. Figures for 2006 and 2007 are therefore based on Annual N+2 Expenditure Targets outlined for these years within the Business Plans for these years.

1 Figures presented are based on Annual N+2 Expenditure Targets for 2006 for the PEACE II and INTERREG IIIA Programme, as outlined within Business Plan 2006.

2 Figures presented are based on Annual N+2 Expenditure Targets for 2007 for the PEACE II and INTERREG IIIA Programme, as outlined within Business Plan 2007.

3 Figures outlined are based on Programme Costs outlined within Business Plan 2008 for INTERREG IVA and PEACE III Programmes.

4 Figures outlined are based on Programme Costs outlined within Business Plan 2009 for INTERREG IVA and PEACE III Programmes.

5 Figures outlined are based on Programme Costs outlined within Business Plan 2010 for INTERREG IVA and PEACE III.

Cvil Service Arbitration Body

Details in respect of the Civil Service Arbitration Board (including the Adjudicator)

Civil Service Disciplinary Code Appeal Board and Independent Mediator for the Civil Service are as follows:

Year	Budget for year
	€
2006	70,000
2007	70,000
2008	70,000
2009	70,000
2010	70,000

The Central Bank of Ireland and Financial Regulator

The Central Bank of Ireland has supplied the following information in relation to the Financial Regulator and the Central Bank of Ireland for the period 2006 to 2010.

Financial Regulator
Year	Budget for year**
	€m
2006	48.6
2007	51.5
2008	55.7
2009	63.5
2010	78.07

CBFSAI
Year	Budget for year
	€m
2006	108.1
2007	115.7
2008	135.8
2009	125.4
2010

**Funded on a 50/50 basis with 50% industry levy funding and 50% Central Bank subvention.

Year	Body	Total Net Income	Expenses	Profit for year
	€m	€m	€m
2006	CBFSAI	209.7	108.1	101.1
2007	CBFSAI	334.5	115.7	228.0
2008	CBFSAI	484.0	35.8	364.2
2009	CBFSAI	1,053,528.0	125.4	933.8
2010	Central Bank	n/a

Financial Services Appeals Tribunal
Year	Budget for year
	€
2006	n/a
2007	452,630
2008	488,230
2009	419,166
2010	529,602

Financial Services Ombudsmans Council
Year	Budget for year
	€
2006	n/a
2007	452,630
2008	488,230
2009	419,166
2010	529,602

The Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal

The Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal is hosted by the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on behalf of the Department of Finance and the cost of the Board has been recouped to the NRH since 2005 from the Department of Finance Vote.

Year	Budget
	€
2006	279,653
2007	285,539
2008	320,323
2009	371,467
2010 (est)	350,000

EU Funding

Michael Creed

Question:

220 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the discussions if any that have taken place at the Council of Finance Ministers regarding the establishment of an EU equivalent of the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39307/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposal for the establishment of a permanent crisis resolution framework in the EU. The report on the Van Rompuy Task Force, which is being submitted to the European Council of the 28th-29th October, concluded that this proposal requires further work. The Task Force also notes that as it may imply a need for Treaty changes, depending on its specific features, it is an issue for the European Council in the first instance. The recent Franco-German declaration of 18th October 2010, which proposes an amendment to the Treaties for this purpose, will feed into deliberations on this matter.

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

James Reilly

Question:

221 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue lost in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 due to tobacco smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that there is no internationally recognised method for precisely determining the amount of tax lost as a result of the illicit trade in cigarettes. On the basis of a 2009 survey carried out independently on behalf of Revenue and the Office of Tobacco Control, Revenue estimates that approximately 20% of cigarettes consumed in the State had not been taxed in this jurisdiction. It is important to emphasise that this estimate includes both illicit cigarettes and legal cross-border purchases brought into the State for personal consumption. Revenue would further tentatively estimate that this figure of 20% comprises 14% illicit product and 6% legal cross-border purchases. Based on an estimate of 14%, the loss of excise duty to the exchequer from illicit cigarette consumption during 2009 would be in the region of €200m.

Figures for 2007 and 2008 are unlikely to have been significantly different. Figures for 2010 to date are not available at this time but a new survey is scheduled for later this year and the results are expected to be available in 2011.

The strategy of the Revenue Commissioners for tackling this illicit trade is multi-faceted. It includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, ongoing review of operational policies, development of analytics and deployment of detection technologies, optimum deployment of resources at point of importation and internally to intercept the contraband product and to prosecute those involved.

Interception at the point of importation is achieved through a combination of risk analysis, profiling, intelligence, and the screening of cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages. Revenue enforcement officers also target this illicit trade at the post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. Revenue and An Garda Síochána also carry out regular multi-agency operations, particularly in relation to large maritime importations and in checks at inland markets.

In terms of detection equipment resources, a second mobile X-ray container scanner, to augment the one first deployed in 2006, was commissioned by Revenue in January 2010 and is now fully operational. Container scanning is one of a number of detection technology applications used to detect contraband. However, its deployment must take into account the principle of free movement of goods within the Community as well as the objective of minimal disruption to legitimate trade.

Revenue also uses a tobacco detection dog in addition to the smaller baggage/parcel scanners, which are deployed at all major ports, airports and postal depots. Two new X-ray scanners were also purchased within the last 12 months for use in postal depots.

Revenue's approach in relation to the detection of tobacco-related offences is under continuous review. For example, in July of this year Revenue launched a nationwide tobacco operation, which concentrated additional Revenue resources at ports, airports and at various retail points for the purpose of identifying illicit tobacco products. This resulted in 561 seizures totalling 13.7m cigarettes and 195 kgs tobacco in the course of the two-week period of the operation. Further such intensive operations are planned, to supplement the normal ongoing level of detection and enforcement activities.

The Revenue Commissioners have also established a high level internal group, chaired at Commissioner level, to examine the risks related to tobacco excise, and to monitor and optimise performance in relation to detection of counterfeit and contraband tobacco products. This group has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at counteracting the illicit trade in tobacco. These include improved profiling of passengers and freight to identify tobacco smugglers, the recent establishment of a tobacco hotline, co-ordinating national blitz-style operations, evaluation and acquisition of scanning and other detection technologies and learning from best practice internationally.

The multi-faceted approach that Revenue has adopted has resulted in the seizure of 161m cigarettes and more than 2,700 kgs of tobacco to date in 2010.

Banking Sector Regulation

Brian Hayes

Question:

222 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance if information was available to the Department of Finance during the summer of 2008 regarding the share support scheme which had been put in place by Anglo Irish management during that period [39318/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Deputy will be aware that the matters referred to in his question are currently being investigated by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and other authorities. It would not therefore be appropriate for me in my role as Minister for Finance to make any comment on this matter at this stage in order to avoid any risk of prejudicing ongoing investigations.

Tax Reliefs

Michael Creed

Question:

223 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of tax breaks for provision of private pensions in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the cost to the Exchequer of these tax breaks for individuals in 2009 who invested between €1,000 and €5,000 in their pension; between €5,001 and €10,000 in their pension; between €10,001 and €20,000 in their pension; and between €20,001 and €50,000 in their pension; between €50,001 and €500,000 in their pension and between €500,001 and greater in their pension in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39393/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The following table provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of tax and PRSI reliefs relating to private pension contributions for 2007, the latest year for which the most up-to-date data is available. Figures have been rounded where appropriate. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that while corresponding updates of the cost figures are not yet available for the tax year 2008 the necessary work to enable this to be done is ongoing.

There is not sufficient data yet available to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to pension contributions in 2009 which would allow for full cost figures to be provided. No data is available for 2010.

Estimate of the cost of tax and PRSI reliefs on private pension contributions 2007.
	Estimated costs	Numbers*
	€ million
Employees’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes	590	708,100
Employers’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes	150	385,100**
Estimated cost of exemption of employers’ contributions from employee BIK	540	385,100
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs)	410 (revised)	123,900
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs)	60 (revised)	56,400
Estimated cost of PRSI and Health Levy relief on employee and employer contributions	240	Not available

*Numbers as included in P35 returns from employers to Revenue for 2007. Figures are as verified to date but may be understated and subject to revision.

**Numbers of employees for whom employers are contributing to occupational pension funds as included in P35 returns to Revenue for 2007. Figures are as verified to date but may be understated and subject to revision.

I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to provide disaggregated figures in regard to the take-up of the tax relief for all pension contributions across different contribution ranges because the relevant data in regard to contributions is not captured in such a way as to make this possible.

The latest relevant information available in this area is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax year 2007, as returned for that year by individuals in personal income tax returns. This information is set out in the following tables which provide the number of cases as well as amount of deduction and reduction in tax for tax relief for RACs and PRSAs for the various contribution ranges.

A married couple who has elected or has deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

The lower aggregate figures for cost and numbers in respect of RACs and PRSAs in the tables below (compared to the slightly higher figures in the preceding table for 2007) are taken directly from filed income tax returns which represent about 90% of all income tax returns expected for 2007. The higher figures in the initial table have, in accordance with normal practice, been grossed-up.

It is not possible to provide corresponding figures in regard to the take-up of the tax relief for pension contributions by employers and employees to occupational pension schemes because the returns are aggregated at employer level and do not provide a precise basis for measuring the distribution of pension tax relief across different income or contribution cohorts.

INCOME TAX 2007
Retirement Annuity — by range of Retirement Annuity.
Range of Retirement Annuity	Totals
From	To	Number of cases	Amount of deduction	Reduction in tax
€	€		€	€
—	1,000	12,755	8,554,012	2,195,262
1,000	5,000	53,094	131,626,207	36,812,190
5,000	10,000	15,032	107,944,901	35,881,712
10,000	20,000	10,293	146,830,170	55,912,616
20,000	50,000	7,445	232,066,475	94,172,399
50,000	200,000	4,275	309,226,910	126,673,365
Over	200,000	2	413,825	169,668
Totals		102,896	936,662,501	351,817,214

INCOME TAX 2007
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts- by range of Personal Retirement Savings.
Range of Retirement Annuity	Totals
From	To	Number of cases	Amount of deduction	Reduction in tax
€	€		€	€
—	1,000	2,459	1,510,278	393,857
1,000	5,000	9,532	23,442,529	6,929,653
5,000	10,000	2,494	17,775,441	6,060,539
10,000	20,000	1,360	19,144,322	7,200,268
20,000	50,000	656	19,765,530	7,917,019
50,000	200,000	147	10,442,738	4,255,776
Over	200,000	2	456,358	187,106
Totals		16,650	92,537,198	32,944,216

Banking Sector

Joan Burton

Question:

224 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of senior and subordinated bonds outstanding in Anglo Irish Bank as at 29 September 2008; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds outstanding in Anglo Irish Bank as at 30 September 2008 which were covered by the Government guarantee; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds in Anglo Irish Bank which matured between 30 September 2008 and 29 September 2010 and since 29 September 2010; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds in Anglo Irish Bank bought back by the bank, and the capital gain registered as a result between 30 September 2008 and 29 September 2010 and since 29 September 2010; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds currently outstanding in Anglo Irish Bank covered by the eligible liabilities guarantee and outside the scope of the eligible liabilities guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39395/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information required by the Deputy is set out in the tables following:

1. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds outstanding as at 29 September 2008:

Debt	Amount
	€
Senior Bonds:	10,770,669,707
UK Covered Bonds:	1,512,660,000
Subordinated Debt:	4,791,653,500

2. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds outstanding as at 30 September 2008 which were covered by the government guarantee:

Debt	Amount
	€
Senior Bonds:	10,763,531,707
UK Covered Bonds:	1,512,660,000
Subordinated Debt:	2,108,760,000

3. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds which matured between 30 September 2008 and 29 September 2010:

Debt	Amount
	€bn
Senior Unsecured Debt:	14.6
Subordinated Debt:	0.0

4. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds that have matured since 29 September 2010:

Debt	Amount
	€m
Senior Unsecured Debt:	91
Subordinated Debt:	0

5. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds bought-back by the Bank and the associated capital gain(s) for the period of 30 September 2008-29 September 2010:

Debt	Amount	Gain
Senior Unsecured Debt	177.6 m	6 m
Subordinated Debt	2.45 bn	1,752 m

6. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds that have been bought-back by the Bank and the associated capital gain(s) for the period commencing 29 September 2010:

There has been no buy back of either senior or subordinated bonds in this period.

7. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds currently outstanding in the Bank that are covered by the ELG scheme:

Debt	Amount
	€bn
Senior Unsecured Debt:	2.68
Subordinated Debt:	0.00

8. The amount of Senior and Subordinated Bonds currently outstanding in the Bank that are not covered by the ELG scheme:

Debt	Amount
	€bn
Senior Unsecured Debt:	4.00
Subordinated Debt:	2.36

Notes:

Subordinated Debt can not be guaranteed under the ELG Scheme.

The bank has recently launched a liability management exercise in relation to its subordinated debt.

Unless stated otherwise, exchange rates as of 21 October 2011 have been used in order to provide a corresponding euro equivalent.

Site Aquisitions

Róisín Shortall

Question:

225 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason, in October 2006, consent was conveyed to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for borrowing by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority up to the statutory limit of €127 million under section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, to purchase one site (details supplied) in the absence of financial scrutiny of the request. [39398/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Under Section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority is entitled to borrow up to a limit of 127 million euro, with the approval of the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government and the consent of the Minister for Finance. In October 2006 the Dublin Docklands Development Authority applied to and was given approval by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to borrow up to that limit for the purpose of acquiring the Irish Glass Bottle Site in the Dublin docklands area. The consent of the Minister for Finance was given on the basis that the Authority had the then projected capacity to service the debt incurred without recourse to the Exchequer.

Flood Relief

Ulick Burke

Question:

226 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance the reasons for the delay in carrying out works at Ballinasloe, County Galway to alleviate the danger of flooding for residents, especially in the Derrymullen and Ashfield areas, which were prioritised in February 2010 and has not yet started; the funds already spent in Ballinasloe flood alleviation to date by the local council; and if he will state when works will be completed [39418/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

In June of this year, the Office of Public Works agreed to fund works under the Minor Flood Works scheme for mitigation works in Ballinasloe. The allocations include €360,200 for works in the Derrymullen and Ashfield areas. The scheduling and progressing of these projects is a matter for Galway County Council.

The OPW would not necessarily be aware of the total spent by Galway County Council on flood alleviation in Ballinasloe. The Council has recently applied to draw down €95,850 of the allocations under the Minor Works scheme for works in the Town, in addition to €9,000 for a flood study.

Within the past week, the Council has applied for additional funding for the works in the Derrymullen/Ashfield areas in light of changes to the specification to provide the necessary level of protection to the town. The Office of Public Works has agreed to increase the funding to €900,000.

Ulick Burke

Question:

227 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance when will the final report on the south Galway drainage be launched; if he will outline the main proposals of this report as there is great concern that floods may return without any alleviation works being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39419/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

In July of this year the Office of Public Works commissioned consultants to undertake a review of the recommendations of the 1998 South Galway Flood Study report with the aim of developing proposals for specific flood alleviation measures that can be implemented subject to obtaining statutory consents and stakeholder agreement.

It is expected that the consultant's review of the Study's recommendations will be completed by the end of the year. In the interim, where viable mitigation measures are identified by the consultants, OPW will look to take them forward, in conjunction with Galway County Council, under the framework of the Minor Flood Works scheme.

Ulick Burke

Question:

228 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of works carried out in the village of Abbey, Loghrea, County Galway to alleviate the danger of flooding in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39424/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

I have not received any recent submission in relation to VRT and taxis from the Commission for Taxi Regulation or the Minister for Transport. However, my Department did receive correspondence in relation to wheelchair accessible taxis in November, 2009, and it is this correspondence to which I assume the Deputy refers. I have no plans to reduce or eliminate VRT on taxis, including wheelchair accessible taxis.

In relation to wheelchair accessible taxis the Taxi Regulator, through its parent Department, has been advised that if it considers that some form of State assistance is required to facilitate taxi drivers purchasing wheel chair accessible taxis, it may wish to put forward for consideration an expenditure based scheme, financed from within its existing financial allocation and operated by that Department or possibly the Taxi Regulator.

Departmental Funding

Mary Upton

Question:

233 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be released for an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38512/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

234 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the average processing time for domiciliary care allowance in each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39216/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

235 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children the average processing time for back to school clothing and footwear allowance in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39220/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

Question:

236 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons waiting for outpatients treatment in the ear, nose and throat department in the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital, County Cork; the longest waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38449/10]

David Stanton

Question:

250 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons waiting for outpatient appointments at the cardiac unit at the Mercy University Hospital Cork; the longest time a person has been waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38566/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 250 together. The management of hospital services generally, including out-patient waiting lists, is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospitals concerned. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the issues investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Health Services

John O'Mahony

Question:

237 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of appeals that are being processed for each Health Service Executive region by county; the length of time each appeal is taking to be processed in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38450/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Cards

Michael McGrath

Question:

238 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [38457/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Jack Wall

Question:

239 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 29 September 2010 the reason persons (details supplied) have not received any information regarding their medical card application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38464/10]

Jack Wall

Question:

240 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38465/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

My Department has again requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to arrange for a reply to issue to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services

Denis Naughten

Question:

241 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to reinstate services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38475/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Joe Carey

Question:

242 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports available to an Irish citizen currently living abroad (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38476/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) governs eligibility for health services in Ireland. Eligibility for health services is primarily based on residency and means. A person is regarded as "ordinarily resident" in Ireland is he/she satisfies the HSE that it is his/her intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.

In general, Irish nationals and non-nationals who have been resident outside Ireland, are not eligible for public health services under the Health Acts. However, under EU Regulations, a person who is attached to the social security system of another EU Member State may be entitled to public health services . In addition, where an Irish national is working abroad on a short-term contract, but does not intend to take up residence outside Ireland, or has been resident abroad for a period of up to three years but the HSE is satisfied that he/she has not established an entitlement to health services in any other country, such persons may be regarded as ordinarily resident in Ireland on return.

Hospital Services

Richard Bruton

Question:

243 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the availability of therapy services in Dún Laoghaire for persons who have suffered major trauma and need rehabilitation; if some beds have been closed in this sector despite the long waiting lists; if the Health Service Executive has any initiatives in mind to try to protect this important front-line service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38484/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Richard Bruton

Question:

244 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has sought a report on the availability of home-care packages particularly in hospitals on Dublin’s northside where there is a scarcity of step down facilities; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons need 24 hour nursing care after they are discharged are being left without any financial support towards this cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38485/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

The Minister for Health and Children receives Performance Reports each month which outline, amongst other things, progress on activity levels against targets set out in the National Service Plan. This includes Home Care Packages. The Minister has not sought an additional report on home care packages outside of this agreed mechanism.

Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is delivered through a range of community services such as Home Help, Home Care Packages (HCPs), Meals-on-Wheels, and Day / Respite care. Such supports have the added objective of reducing inappropriate admissions by older people to Acute Hospital or Long-Term Residential Care.

The importance attached to these services is highlighted by the fact that over €200 million additional funding has been provided in recent years for these services. The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of Home Care services, in line with its National Service Plan 2010. The Plan commits the Executive to proving 11.98 million Home Help hours nationally this year, to over 54,000 people. Home Care Packages will be delivered to around 9,600 people at any one time, or to some 13,000 clients over the course of the year. In the region of 21,300 Day / Respite care places will also be utilised this year by the Executive as part of its overall Home Support programme. In addition, arising out of an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages published by the Department in December 2009, the HSE are this year progressing a number of initiatives to effect improvements generally in the area of Home Care Services.

In relation to Dublin's Northside, the HSE has advised that the procedures for applications for Home Care Packages have not changed. The service can be accessed through the local area office. The service provides assistance with care needs including essential personal care and other home support tasks.

Applications for packages in respect of in-patients in Acute Hospitals should be initiated prior to a patient's discharge from hospital. This can be facilitated by designated staff based in the hospital system. The provision of 24 hour care is not normally provided within the Home Care Package scheme. Where long-term 24 hour care is required, an application for the Nursing Home Support Scheme is advised. Home Care Packages continue to be approved in this area, in line with available funding. A prioritisation process is in place to determine how available funding is best allocated.

Legislative Programme

Health Services

Prescription Charges

Catherine Byrne

Question:

261 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will outline the details of the new 50 cent prescription charge scheme; if pharmacies can charge more than the €10 monthly limit for an individual or family; the way in which this money can be claimed back; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this process is particularly onerous for older persons. [38609/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

The low price of alcoholic drinks in the supermarket and off-trade sector is an ongoing matter of concern. The available research evidence shows that lower prices for alcoholic drinks results in more alcohol being sold and consumed with a resultant increase in alcohol-related harm in society.

The issue of the pricing of alcoholic drinks was considered by Government Alcohol Advisory Group in 2008. The resultant Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provided a legislative basis that would allow irresponsible price-based promotions of alcohol to be tackled.

In March, 2009 the Government agreed to include alcohol in a National Substance Misuse Strategy (NSMS) that would be coordinated jointly by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and my Department. A Steering Group has been established to develop proposals on the alcohol element of the NSMS. The NSMS Steering Group is examining a wide range of issues in relation to alcohol policy such as pricing, availability, treatment, prevention and marketing. The NSMS Steering Group is due to report on its findings by the end of the year. I look forward to receiving the Report from the Steering Group and in particular considering the recommendations around the price at which alcoholic drinks are sold.

Health Service Staff

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

Question:

273 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports being made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if a plan for their care in the community is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38716/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Cross-Border Health Services

James Reilly

Question:

274 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on the feasibility study on North-South co-operation on health matters; when this study was initiated; when it will be completed; the persons involved in the study; if it will published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38732/10]

James Reilly

Question:

275 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on the areas covered by the co-operation and working together study on cross-Border co-operation in relation to health care; when this study will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38733/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

In 2007, both Health Departments agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study on the potential for future cooperation. A Project Board representative of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI), the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, and Cooperation And Working Together (CAWT) was established to oversee the Study. The Study examined the potential for joint co-operation in health across an extensive range of health and social care services and makes a number of recommendations for future cooperation. The Study was conducted jointly and it was agreed would constitute a report to the two Ministers. Any action arising, including a decision to formally publish the Report, requires the agreement of both parties.

The Study was completed in 2009 and was presented to Ministers in April that year. While I have indicated my approval for the Study's recommendations, in a discussion with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland in June this year, he informed me that he was not satisfied to endorse the Study.

However, it would be wrong to assume that the non publication of this Study implies that there is no cooperation on health matters. Cross Border working on health has existed for many years and both Departments continue to collaborate on a wide range of health and social care issues. Currently, some of these issues include Radiotherapy Services, Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services, Emergency Planning, Child Protection, Health Promotion, Cancer Research and Suicide Prevention.

Both Health Ministers meet regularly under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and continually review the existing arrangements for cooperation and explore other areas for collaboration where mutual benefit for both populations is demonstrated.

Health Services

James Reilly

Question:

276 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the number of persons in each county categorised by ages 0 to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over who were diagnosed in a medical setting with retinopathy here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38734/10]

James Reilly

Question:

277 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the number of persons in each county categorised by ages 0 to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over who were diagnosed in a medical setting with diabetic retinopathy here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38735/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Services for People with Disabilities

James Reilly

Question:

278 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the numbers of persons in each county and categorised by ages nought to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over who were registered as blind here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38736/10]

James Reilly

Question:

279 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the numbers of persons in each county and categorised by ages nought to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over who have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and were registered as blind here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38737/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.

There is no State system for the registration of people with a visual impairment. However, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland operates a system of registration for people with a visual impairment. If one is registered with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, this registration is usually accepted as satisfying the blindness criteria for State schemes such as Blind Pension, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Blind Welfare Allowance. The National Council for the Blind of Ireland provides a range of services to over 15,500 people with a wide range of visual impairments, including those who are blind as a result of diabetic retinopathy.

The Deputy will be aware that diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. Good diabetes control reduces the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy screening is a priority for the Health Service Executive's National Diabetes Programme.

My Department has asked the National Council for the Blind of Ireland for the information sought. My Department will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Preschool Services

Enda Kenny

Question:

280 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the original basis for the age limits of the early childhood care and education scheme; her plans to rectify the situation facing parents where their child’s date of birth does not correspond with the current age-range eligibility; if her attention has been drawn to the level of inconvenience the situation is creating for parents attempting to enroll their children in September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38738/10]

Enda Kenny

Question:

281 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received by her Department from County Mayo since the early childhood care and education scheme was introduced; of these applications, the numbers that were approved and rejected by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38739/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to children in the year before they commence primary school. Services participating in the pre-school year are expected to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within the age cohort of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September of the relevant year.

The age limits, which span almost 17 months, take account of a number of factors, including the variation in school admission policies and the fact that the majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. While exceptions to the upper age limit are made where children are developmentally delayed and would benefit from participating in the pre-school year at a later age, the scheme does not provide for exceptions to the lower age limit and I am not considering any change to this position.

More than 53,000 children availed of the free pre-school provision in the period January to August 2010 and approximately 63,000 children are currently enrolled from September 2010. The latest figure represents 94% of all children eligible for the scheme this year and is an extraordinarily high level of participation after such a short period of time.

Parents can apply to avail of the scheme for their children by enrolling them in a participating service, generally at the start of the pre-school year in which the children qualify, including children who have been approved for late entry to the scheme. The service will ask the parents of children who have been enrolled, to provide the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) of the children and to sign and return a declaration form which is then returned to my Office for verification of the details provided.

In September 2010, the parents of almost 1,800 children in Mayo applied to enter the ECCE scheme and, in the vast majority of cases, the details provided have been verified as being valid. In a small number of cases the details provided were not validated. This may be because an incorrect PPSN was furnished to the service in which case the parent or service provider should contact my Office with the correct details. Such cases are being processed as they are received.

Family Support Services

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

282 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider correspondence (details supplied); if she will direct the Health Service Executive to provide essential supports to this family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38989/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

Officials in my Department have been in contact with the Department of Social Protection who have indicated that the payment of child benefit has been amended to reflect the current position. I understand that contact has been made with the relevant officials in the HSE regarding the issuing of a medical card. Furthermore, this issue has been referred to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to Deputy Ó Fearghaíl.

Medicinal Products

James Reilly

Question:

283 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the legal status of electronic cigarettes on sale in shops and pharmacies here; the way this compares with other European Union member states; if she has asked the Irish Medicines Board to investigate these products; if they are regarded as being a medicinal product or a device by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39010/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The EU Commission, in its Orientation Note on Electronic Cigarettes (May 2008), stated that where such products are presented for use in or assist in smoking cessation, they are regarded as medicinal products. In this regard they are similar to other nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) and therefore require marketing authorisation before being placed on the market in Ireland. In common with other such NRT products they may be supplied only through pharmacies.

The EU Commission has recently commenced a public consultation with respect to the possible revision of the Tobacco Products Directive 2001/37/EC. One of the issues being considered is to extend the scope of the directive to cover electronic nicotine delivery systems where such products are presented as alternatives to cigarettes.

My Department will be engaging with the Irish Medicines Board, Health Service Executive, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and other relevant bodies, and will contribute to ongoing EU deliberations on the matter.

Departmental Investigations

James Reilly

Question:

284 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish those parts of an independent review report with respect to a person (details supplied) that will not obstruct criminal proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39011/10]

James Reilly

Question:

285 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the review into a case (details supplied), which was supposed to be completed between ten and 12 weeks, took almost one year to complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39012/10]

James Reilly

Question:

286 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the review into a case (details supplied); when she envisages this review will be published in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39013/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 to 286, inclusive, together.

I appointed the former High Court Judge, Mr. TC Smyth SC, to examine whether a further investigation into the case of Michael Shine, former Consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda would be of benefit.

I would like to clarify that Judge Smyth began his work on the review in January last and that it was always expected that it would take a number of months, to around the middle of the year, to complete. The review is now complete and I recently received the Judge's report.

In line with the advice of both Judge Smyth and the Attorney General I regret that, in order to avoid any danger of prejudicing legal cases, it is not possible to publish the Judge's report or a redacted version of his report at this time. It is also not possible to comment on any publication date.

However, I have undertaken to examine whether it may be possible to publish a summary of the report as soon as possible.

Tobacco Products

Joe Behan

Question:

287 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she or officials of her Department have met with representatives of the tobacco industry to discuss budget 2011 or legislation affecting supply and sale of tobacco products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39021/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

My Officials last met with representatives of the tobacco industry in July 2008 to discuss the introduction of bilingual health warnings on tobacco products placed on the market from 1 October 2008. No further meetings have taken place.

Hospital Services

Mental Health Services

The following table provides data on the number of children admitted to adult acute psychiatric units and hospitals.

Year	Total number of children admitted to Adult Psychiatric Units
*2005	39 – under 16 year olds
*2006	253 – under 18 year olds
**2007	217 – under 18 year olds
**2008	247 – under18 year olds
**2009	200 – under 18 year olds

Question:

303 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a general breakdown of the costs of a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39068/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.

There are two main cost factors associated with medical cards and GP visit cards, firstly the capitation and other fees paid to General Practitioners (GPs) and, secondly, the cost of drugs supplied to patients.

Question:

306 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the person leading the implementation of the cardiovascular strategy; if funding has been ring-fenced for its implementation; if implementation plans have been drawn up and published; the main targets which have been prioritised for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39071/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Director of Clinical Care in the Health Service Executive (HSE) has lead responsibility in the HSE for implementation of the Cardiovascular Policy. The HSE has established 3 programmes to implement the different elements of the Cardiovascular Policy, covering acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and stroke. Lead clinicians have been appointed with specific responsibility for each of these programmes and they are developing policy implementation plans to be submitted to the Director of Clinical Care. The lead clinicians are Professor Peter Kelly and Dr Joe Harbinson (Stroke and Stroke Rehabilitation), Professor Ken McDonald (Heart Failure) and Dr Kieran Daly (Acute Coronary Syndrome).

The implementation of these plans and the organisation of the necessary resources are service delivery matters and have, therefore, been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Budget Submissions

Brian O'Shea

Question:

307 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider priorities for budget 2011 from an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39078/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

The priorities for Budget 2011 are being considered as part of the estimates and budgetary process for 2011. As the Deputy will appreciate, detailed deliberation on all aspects of expenditure in the health service is underway as part of the consideration of the very challenging financial circumstances which face the Government this year. As such, it would not be appropriate to comment further on particular elements of the Budget at this time.

Medical Cards

Jack Wall

Question:

308 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39093/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Service Properties

2006 — €10,031,090

2007 — €11,453,895

2008 — €12,667,159

2009 — €11,890,719

In 2010 the Net Estimate of the HSE is €10,528,581.

Agencies directly funded by Department of Health and Children
Agency	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006
		€	€	€	€
National Council on Ageing***	0	430,000	904,000	1,510,000	1,440,000
National Social Work Qualification Board	538,000	569,000	578,000	573,000	557,000
Irish Medicines Board	3,650,000	4,601,922	4,993,000	4,924,000	4,025,000
Post Graduate Medical and Dental Board*	0	0	10,362,000	9,795,000	8,744,000
Board for the Employment of the Blind (Blindcraft)****	0	17,000	10,000	4,717,000	1,100,000
Crisis Pregnancy Agency*****	0	8,178,000	8,706,000	8,574,000	8,140,000
Food Safety Authority Ireland	17,427,000	18,032,000	18,505,000	18,712,000	17,430,000
Institute of Public Health	1,542,000	1,517,000	1,576,000	1,562,000	1,505,000
Health Information & Quality Authority	14,757,000	11,100,000	14,800,000	6,389,000	1,386,000
Irish Health Safety Accreditation Board**	0	0	0	843,000	2,464,000
Mental Health Commission	18,190,000	17,950,000	16,600,000	17,380,000	6,250,000
National Cancer Screening Service*	11,000	57,300,000	42,452,000	30,419,000	13,693,000
National Council Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery	4,162,000	4,285,000	4,473,000	4,200,000	4,350,000
Office of Tobacco Control	1,726,000	1,620,000	1,819,000	2,495,554	2,315,000
Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council	3,161,000	3,281,000	3,438,000	3,414,850	2,812,000
Childrens’Acts Advisory Board******	1,000,000	2,199,000	2,314,000	2,232,000	1,715,000
Women’s Health Council***	0	500,000	658,000	654,000	631,000
National Treatment Purchase Fund	90,092,000	90,350,000	104,641,000	91,744,000	78,644,000
Food Safety Promotion Board	6,665,000	5,623,000	7,000,000	6,475,000	6,580,000
Health Research Board	34,157,000	35,241,000	36,885,000	36,085,000	30,353,000
Ombudsman for Children	2,223,000	2,310,000	2,409,000	2,080,992	1,266,268
Office of the Disability Appeals Officer	501,000	557,000	0	0	1,720,000
National Cancer Registry Board	2,975,000	2,477,000	3,037,000	2,165,000	0
Health & Social Care Professionals Council	962,000	595,000	315,000	0

2006-2009 are Outturn figures.

2010 figures as per Revised Estimates Volume.

*Transferred to HSE from 1/4/10.

**Subsumed into HIQA in 2007.

***Subsumed into DoHC in 2009.

****Wound Up in 2007.

*****Transferred to HSE from 01/1/10.

******Due to be abolished in 2010.

Health Services

Michael Ring

Question:

325 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for treatment. [39316/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Public Transport

Seán Barrett

Question:

334 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin Bus has been forced to reduce its services as a result of a lack of adequate funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38479/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

While the allocation of Exchequer subvention to the CIÉ operating companies is a matter for the National Transport Authority I understand that Dublin Bus have been allocated €75.790 million in 2010 towards the cost of public service obligation services. The decision by Dublin Bus as part of its cost recovery plan, to re-organise its network to reflect changes in demand, based on 120 fewer buses is consistent with the conclusions in the Deloitte Report. The Deloitte report concluded that the Dublin Bus fleet is adequate to meet current demand, and that fleet expansion was not an immediate issue. Instead the Deloitte report concluded that the focus should be on optimising the existing network and extracting full value from the existing sized fleet.

The objective of the redesign of the Dublin Bus network is to provide current and future bus customers with a service that will be modern, accessible, integrated, easy to understand, punctual and frequent. The redesigned network will be supported by complementary measures such as Integrated Ticketing and Real Time Passenger Information. These measures reflect the commitment of the company to deliver better services at better value to the customer and taxpayer.

Taxi Regulations

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

335 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the number of times he and his Department are briefed by the Commission on Taxi Regulation; the way he invigilates the actions and performance of the office of the taxi regulator in terms of carrying out the Government's overall policy for the taxi sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38553/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Under section 29 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, the Commission is required to submit its Annual Report and Accounts. The Commission also publishes a Strategy Statement under Section 28 of the Act and is obliged to adhere to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Earlier in the year the Commission produced its Strategy Statement 2010-2014 and its Action Plan for 2010-201. In September the Commission produced its mid-year report in line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies.

Taking account of its statutory independence under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and its reporting requirements as mentioned, my officials have regular contact with the Commission for Taxi Regulation on corporate governance issues and general policy relating to the taxi sector.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

336 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39242/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Railway Safety Commission do not have Boards.

Board Members
State Body	Members
National Roads Authority	11
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	5
Road Safety Authority	9
Córas Iompair Éireann	11
Bus Átha Cliath	8
Bus Éireann	6
Iarnród Éireann	8
National Transport Authority	10
Railway Procurement Agency	5
Railway Safety Advisory Council	12
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation	18
Dublin Airport Authority	13
Shannon Airport Authority	9
Cork Airport Authority	9
Irish Aviation Authority	7
Marine Casualty Investigation Board	5
Port of Cork Company	10
Drogheda Port Company	8
Dublin Port Company	8
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company	11
Shannon Foynes Port Company	12
Port of Waterford Company	8
Galway Harbour Company	8
New Ross Port Company	8
Dundalk Port Company	9
Wicklow Port Company	9
Arklow Harbour Commissioners	10
Baltimore & Skibbereen Harbour	9
Bantry Bay Harbour	11
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners	9
Tralee & Fenit Commissioners	11

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

337 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39257/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Exchequer funding has been allocated under Vote 32 to the following agencies under the remit of my Department since 2006:

State Body	Vote 32 Funding 2010 €000	Vote 32 Funding 2009 €000	Vote 32 Funding 2008 €000	Vote 32 Funding 2007 €000	Vote 32 Funding 2006 €000
CIE Group	496,129	726,808	911,036	776,269	574,124
Railway Safety Commission	400	2,014	2,078	2,090	2,272
Railway Procurement Agency	29,748	10,598	10,958	11,000	39,953
National Roads Authority	1,636,324	1,470,009	1,679,461	1,782,874	1,650,644
Dublin Transportation Office/NTA	353,512	38,472	59,017	41,593	28,730
Road Safety Authority	28,746	32,835	39,704	31,124	*
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	4,557	4,363	4,448	5,911	9,333
Marine Casualty Investigation Board	250	200	250	300	300

I have received correspondence from the Data Protection Commissioner and the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation (CTR) in relation to information contained in certificates released on request under Section 38(6) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. Upon payment of a fee, Section 38(6) requires the CTR to issue a certificate relating to information relating to a licence granted, including the name and address of the person who holds the licence.

Both the Data Protection Commissioner and the Taxi Regulator have referred to concerns raised by taxi licence holders and their representatives regarding the provision of personal information, particularly their personal addresses.

With a view to addressing the issues raised in the correspondence, a review of the legislation and administrative arrangements is under way to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

Auctioneers and House Agents

David Stanton

Question:

344 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the way in which members of the public can ascertain if a person operating as an auctioneer has an auctioneer’s licence; if such information is readily available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38446/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I wish to inform the Deputy that the licensing of Auctioneers and House Agents is currently a matter for the Revenue Commissioners under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which will establish the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), is currently awaiting Second Stage debate in this House. Once the new legislation is enacted responsibility for the licensing of Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents) will become the responsibility of the PSRA. This legislation also provides for the establishment by the PSRA of a register of persons who are licensed under the Bill to provide property services. The register will be available for inspection free of charge by members of the public at the Authority's office and on its internet website.

Citizenship Applications

Phil Hogan

Question:

345 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 12 October 2010, the reason an application for naturalisation has not been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38454/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 361 on 12 October, 2010. The position remains as stated.

Legislative Programme

Sean Sherlock

Question:

346 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when he will initiate the commencement order on the Fines Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38455/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Fines Act 2010 will be commenced on a phased basis and I expect that the capacity to pay provisions in section 14 will be among the first features of the legislation to be commenced from early January, 2011. Section 14 places an obligation on the court to take account of the defendant's financial circumstances before a fine is imposed.

While I would like to be in a position to commence all parts of this important legislation from an early date, it is not possible to fully commence the Act until the necessary arrangements have been put in place by the Courts Service to fully facilitate its operation. I have requested the Courts Service to prioritise the work necessary in order to progress the request for tender and contract negotiations for the appointment of a receiver. The tender procedure is subject to EU tender rules, including timelines. Appointment of a receiver will facilitate commencement of section 19 of the Act, which makes imprisonment a last resort on default of payment of a fine. It is only when the receiver has failed to recover the fine (or its value in seized goods) and a community service order has not been complied with, or is not suitable in the circumstances of a particular case, that imprisonment will arise. Significant enhancements to the Courts Service ICT system are necessary to facilitate payment of fines by instalment, which is provided for in section 15. These provisions and the remaining sections of the Act will be commenced as soon as possible.

Asylum Support Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

347 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the procedures in place to assist asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their status and do not have a current valid refugee card and so experience difficulties obtaining benefits. [38486/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Deputy may be aware that Ireland operates a system of Direct Provision of services and supports for asylum seekers. At the time of their applications, asylum seekers are offered accommodation in a reception centre in Dublin for a period of approximately ten to fourteen days. During this period they are given access to health (including health screening), legal and welfare services. Asylum seekers are then relocated to an accommodation centre outside the Dublin area.

Accommodation in reception and accommodation centres is provided on a full board basis which includes the provision of a room / family room (as appropriate) and three meals per day. All accommodation for asylum seekers is required to comply and operate in accordance with the statutory requirements of local authorities and State agencies in relation to bedroom capacity, food hygiene, water supply and so on.

Asylum seekers are paid a weekly supplementary welfare payment. The current rates are €19.10 per week for an adult and €9.60 per week for a child. In addition, asylum seekers can access exceptional needs payments, clothing and footwear allowances and similar supports. Asylum seekers can remain in the accommodation provided to them while their application for asylum is being considered. They are precluded by law from receiving rent supplements towards the cost of accommodation in the private rented sector. Additionally, they are not allowed to access the labour market while their applications for asylum are being determined.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to Section 3 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), where it is made clear that it is only when an individual has been declared to be a refugee do they become entitled to the same social welfare benefits as those to which Irish citizens are entitled.

Garda Telecommunications

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Garda Vetting Services

Jack Wall

Question:

351 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a Garda clearance form in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38619/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person referred to has been received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. The application is being processed at present and a response will issue in due course.

Citizenship Applications

Ulick Burke

Question:

352 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the delay in processing an application in respect of a person (details supplied). [38654/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straightforward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Garda Recruitment

Liz McManus

Question:

353 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the recruitment drive for An Garda Síochána; when this recruitment drive was to commence; the status of this recruitment drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38683/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The general moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the Public Service continues to apply to An Garda Síochána. The purpose of initiating a Garda recruitment campaign at this time is to begin a process of establishing a panel of approved candidates who will be available to meet future Garda recruitment needs in line with Government policy. This forward planning is necessary given the lead time involved both in establishing such a panel and in training recruits to the point of attestation. The Garda recruitment process is managed by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner and I have no function in that matter.

Garda Investigations

Niall Collins

Question:

354 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if it is legal or illegal for An Garda Síochána to confirm to media and journalist queries that a person has been arrested and is being held for questioning; the legislation and procedures that exist to protect a person’s presumption of innocence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

An Garda Síochána, through the Garda Press and Public Relations Office provides information to media in relation to matters under investigation and other issues relating to the work of the organisation. Appeals for assistance/information from the public are also communicated through the media.

In serious cases, when arrests are made, the Garda Press and Public Relations Office informs the media of the fact that an arrest has been made, the age and gender of the arrested person, where he/she was arrested, for what offence and the relevant power of detention.

I am advised that the Garda Press and Public Relations Office does not identify any person who has been arrested, and that confirmation is not provided in response to any media queries as to whether any named individual has been arrested.

Fraud Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

355 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to address the activities of individuals and groups who organise and promote the door to door collection of used clothing; his views regarding alleged criminal activity associated with the used clothing collection operations; his further views regarding the fact that the used clothing collected is not being used for charity purposes as is usually stated in the promotional material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38708/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Offences Act 2001 provides for the offence of making gain or causing loss by deception.

Any complaints received by An Garda Síochána regarding activities such as those referred to by the Deputy are the subject of investigation and possible criminal proceedings, where the evidence disclosed so warrants.

The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The question of whether or not a particular person should be prosecuted and for what criminal offence is the responsibility of the DPP. The Director, who is independent in the performance of his functions, makes his decision on the basis of the Garda findings viewed against the background of common and/or statute law.

Any person who may have information in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy should contact An Garda Síochána.

Citizenship Applications

Paul Kehoe

Question:

356 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the rights and entitlements of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38749/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In the case of a non-national applicant who is the spouse of an Irish citizen those conditions are that the applicant must:

be of full age;

be of good character;

be married to the Irish citizen for at least 3 years;

be in a marriage recognised under the laws of the State as subsisting;

be living together as husband and wife with the Irish spouse;

have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the island of Ireland immediately before the date of the application and, during the four years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the island of Ireland amounting to two years;

have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. Applications must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

It is open to the person in question to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when she is in a position to meet the statutory requirements. Application forms and information on the statutory requirements in relation to an application for a certificate of naturalisation are available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website at www.inis.gov.ie.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

357 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will consider correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must:

be of full age;

be of good character;

have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years;

have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State

In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include:

periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State;

periods granted for the purposes of study;

periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996.

The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, waive the statutory conditions where the application is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Irish associations is defined as meaning related by blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is an Irish citizen. However, this provision is not applicable in this case.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

Proposed Legislation

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

358 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when the Spent Convictions Bill is expected to be brought to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39031/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Spent Convictions Bill 2007 completed Second Stage in this House on 18 December 2008. Work is under way on the preparation of Committee Stage amendments. My colleague, Mr. Barry Andrews, TD, Minister for Children, expects to be in a position to publish the amendments early in the next term and he hopes that Committee Stage can take place shortly thereafter.

Residency Permits

Joe Behan

Question:

359 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if arrangements for renewal of Garda National Immigration Bureau Registration cards could be re-examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39034/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I have been informed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau that non-nationals who present at the registration office located at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) premises at Burgh Quay, Dublin, 2 for the purpose of complying with their requirement to be placed on a register of non-nationals, provided for at section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004, are each issued with a numbered ticket which indicates their position within the queue of people presenting on that day. The numbered ticket is issued to each non-national by a senior member of staff who ensures that the persons concerned are in possession of all necessary documentation and establishes any other issue which might impact on the registration of the non-nationals.

In the event that any person presenting for the purpose of being entered on the register of non-nationals, maintained pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, indicates that he/she has any particular difficulty with regard to complying with the registration process, it will be considered at the time of being issued with a numbered ticket.

When each non-national is issued with such ticket, he or she is advised of the approximate time at which his or her application will be processed, thus eliminating the need for the non-national to remain at the GNIB premises for protracted periods of time. In the event that a non-national would indicate that he or she has a medical condition or, as in the circumstances subject of this Question is at an advanced stage of pregnancy, his or her application to be entered on the register of non-nationals will be prioritised.

Garda Vetting Services

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

360 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if there is a rule whereby persons from other EU countries (details supplied) have to wait for two years before they get Garda clearance for jobs that require such vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Garda Central Vetting Unit issues vetting certificates to a registered organisation in respect of any individual whom it proposes to employ or engage in a position having substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. There are no special waiting periods for persons from other EU countries for vetting purposes. A Garda vetting certificate is issued to a registered organisation in response to a written request made with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request .

Gaming Regulation

Mary Upton

Question:

361 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress that has been made in relation to legislation on gambling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39139/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 21 and 50 for answer on 7 October, 2010 in which I set out the necessary process involved in this matter before any legislative change can be addressed. The position has not changed since that date.

In essence, the position is that I initiated a major review of gambling in May of last year. The objective of the wide-ranging review is to provide Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing the gambling architecture in the State. It is a matter of record that successive Governments have shied away from attempting any significant reform of our gambling laws since our existing gaming and lotteries legislation was enacted over 50 years ago. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, I am resolved to make our gambling laws relevant to the 21st century. In light of this commitment, I make no apology for taking the time to make sure this is done effectively. We must first achieve a policy in relation to a new gambling architecture that is capable of winning broad spectrum agreement. It is when this goal is achieved that we will be in a position to address the matter of legislative change, with some degree of confidence.

Any such new policy aimed at modernising our gambling code must take account of the issues raised by new technologies, particularly the Internet. In addition, policy must also be premised on the three important considerations which are the hallmark of most well-regulated gambling codes. These are:

that young people and the vulnerable are protected

that gambling should, in all respects, be fairly and openly conducted and

that gambling is kept free of crime.

Following the settling of that policy, arrangements will be made in the normal course to address the necessary legislative change.

As the first comprehensive review of our gambling law, effectively since the enactment of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 draws to a close, it is reasonable to expect that any new legislation that may arise, will be both complex and comprehensive.

Garda Strength

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

362 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if sufficient resources will be made available to An Garda Síochána in Tallaght, Dublin 24 to allow for an effective response to crime in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39148/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda Station, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 204. Tallaght Garda Station forms part of the DMR South Division and on that date the personnel strength of the DMR South Division was 639. There are 10 Juvenile Liaison Officers and 55 Community Gardaí attached to the DMR South Garda Division.

Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána, and the situation is kept under continuing review to ensure optimum use is made of these resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. Garda management will continue to monitor the situation in the DMR South Division with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained.

Prison Building Programme

Denis Naughten

Question:

363 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 15 June 2010, the additional planting and maintenance costs to date in 2010; the plans for further expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39153/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

During the period January to September 2010, expenditure of €10,900 was incurred in relation to the planting and maintenance of the boundary planting scheme at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin.

As indicated previously, when granting development consent for the Thornton Hall prison project, the Oireachtas decided to increase the planted zone at certain points along the perimeter of the site in order to mitigate the visual and aural impact of the development. This additional planting will be undertaken at the appropriate time.

Proposed Legislation

Denis Naughten

Question:

364 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to parliamentary Question No. 380 of 7 July 2009, the progress made to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39156/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Legal Costs Bill and the Family Law Bill, referred to in the Government Legislation Programme for the Autumn Session, remain as Bills in respect of which the details continue to be developed in my Department.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
365 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will confirm that a work permit for eight years entitles a person (details supplied) in County Kildare leave to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39177/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The position in relation to the status of Long Term Residency is that, at the date of application, a person applying for such status must have been legally resident in the State for over five years (60 months) on the basis of work permit, work authorisation or working visa conditions. Such applications are made to the Long Term Residency Section of my Department and where such an application is approved, permission to remain for a further five-year period is granted. Persons granted this status are exempt from employment permit requirements.

In addition to the requirement to have completed five years (60 months) of legal residency in the State, on work permit conditions, an applicant for Long Term Residency must have the corresponding Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 endorsements on their Passport during such periods.

In calculating the period of legal residency, my Department only takes into consideration time spent in the State legally on work permit conditions. Periods of time where a person has not had the requisite stamps on their Passport are not counted.

In addition to the basic requirements referred to above, some other conditions must be met. One of these conditions is that an applicant must be of good character. Against this background, each application is forwarded to the Garda National Immigration Bureau for a character check before a decision is made. Applicants who do not satisfy these conditions will not be considered for a grant of Long Term Residency.

In relation to the case of the person concerned, I am advised that an application for Long Term Residency was received from him on 7 March 2008. Following the consideration of this application, a decision was made to refuse the application and this refusal decision was conveyed in writing to the relevant party by letter dated 9 September 2009. The reasons for refusal were set out in that letter.

Arising from the refusal of that application, and given that the person concerned had no other valid basis to remain in the State, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 18 May 2010, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him.

Representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned and these representations will be fully considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this overall consideration has been completed, the case is submitted to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
366 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39178/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question No. 1052 of Wednesday, 29th September, 2010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
367 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39179/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question No. 1054 of Wednesday, 29th September, 2010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
368 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if leave to remain here on compassionate and health grounds will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39180/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 23 September 2009, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of her asylum claim and her application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations she submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
369 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39181/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 17th July, 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in her case. On the 3rd April, 2009, the High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave Application with the consequence that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood.

Subsequently, an application was made on behalf of the person concerned, seeking to have her re-admitted to the asylum process in accordance with the provisions of Section 17(7) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). Following consideration of this application, a decision was taken to refuse the application and this decision was notified by letter dated 26th June, 2009.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an asylum application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39182/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned applied for asylum in this State on 19th August, 2008. His asylum claim was investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 May 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
371 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39183/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy, made a Family Reunification application in August 2009. The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. The investigation was completed in February 2010 and a report was forwarded to INIS. The application is currently under consideration by INIS. INIS are currently waiting for an inter-departmental report, upon receipt of same INIS will contact the applicant.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
372 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39184/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question No. 148 of Thursday, 27 May, 2010, in this matter.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Crime Levels

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
373 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 7 October 2010, the relevant section of the Garda Síochána has publicly commented on the fact that numerous burglaries were due to unprotected or inadequate intruder systems and that victims only became aware of this after a burglary; that Parliamentary Question No. 141 requested information which is already in the hands of the Gardaí; that the use of such systems is seen as a bonus for burglary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39185/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that alarm systems of an adequate standard are an effective deterrent against burglars. However, alarms are not a replacement for good physical security, but work best when used in tandem with physical security measures, such as door and window locks of an appropriate standard.

All members of An Garda Síochána promote crime prevention and reduction. There are also dedicated Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) within each Garda Division, who encourage, promote and advise both private citizens and the business community on crime prevention. A list of CPOs and crime prevention advice are available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

Criminal Assets Bureau

Pádraic McCormack
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Pádraic McCormack
Question:
374 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of houses and apartments that have been repossessed in Galway city and county and around the country by the Criminal Assets Bureau in the past few years; the number that were sold, and the price and the location of these houses or apartments. [39209/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the Criminal Assets Bureau, while authorised by statute to own property, does not in fact own any property. Properties which are the subject of orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 are generally held by a Court appointed receiver. Once a final order is made, the property becomes vested in the Minister for Finance.

While the Bureau regularly targets certain properties under both the proceeds of crime and taxation legislation, there are statutory limitations on the disclosure of such information in the course of Court proceedings. It is therefore the policy of the Bureau not to disclose information on specific properties until investigations have been completed and the Courts have made a final determination. It is therefore difficult for the Bureau to be specific in relation to the numbers that were sold and the price and location of these houses or apartments.

There are a significant number of properties around the country which are the subject of Section 7 receivership orders, some with a power of sale, and some without. However the majority of these are still subject to a final order from the Court. One particular property in County Galway has been the subject of an order pursuant to Sections 3 and 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act within the past few years. The receiver is in the process of inviting bids in the hope of effecting a sale of the property, final approval of which is subject to High Court approval. As the matter has the potential to be subject to further Court proceedings, it is not appropriate for the Bureau to provide further details on this case at present.

An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau are prohibited by legislation in disclosing details of ongoing investigations or legal proceedings prior to conclusion. The Criminal Assets Bureau is required, by statute, to prepare an Annual Report which is submitted to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. The report for 2009, which was published this week, details in general terms the number of receivership orders granted and the funds collected by the Bureau.

Prison Committals

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
375 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prisoners who served sentences of less than 12 months in each of the years 2005 to 2009 and to date in 2010; the average monthly cost to the State of keeping a person in prison in each of those years; the number of persons who have served less than 12 months and were found to have committed a crime after their release in each of the years from 2005 to 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39211/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I can advise the Deputy that figures for the number of persons committed to custody serving less than 12 month sentences during each of the past 5 years and the average monthly cost of keeping an offender in custody in those years, are set out in the table below. Figures in relation to 2010 are unavailable at this stage.

Year

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Number of Persons committed serving less than 12 months

3,944

4,607

4,952

6,424

9,216

Monthly Average cost of keeping an offender

€7,575

€7,641

€8,141

€7,726

€6,435

It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy in relation to those who were found to have committed a crime after their release as this would require the manual examination of records going back over the time period in question. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.

However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Irish Prison Service facilitated a major study of prisoner re-offending by the UCD Institute of Criminology, published in 2008. That study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence within one year. This rose to 39.2% after two years, 45.1% after three years, and 49.2% after four years. The fact that over 50% of prisoners do not re-offend within four years of release compares well internationally.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
376 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the percentage of persons engaged in work, training and educational activities in prisons here by prison in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39224/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The most recent full year statistics available are for 2009. Over the course of 2009, an average of 39% of the prison population are reported as having attended education classes. This figure is based on weekly returns from the education units in each prison and excludes normal school holidays, when a reduced service is available. Additionally, in the same period, an average of 20% of the prison population are recorded as having attended workshop sessions each day. This understates workshop participation somewhat since the prisoners attending morning and afternoon sessions may vary.

Participation rates in different institutions also vary with factors such as facilities, availability of alternative activities, population turnover and segregation having an impact on the numbers involved. The pattern of attendance for each prison is presented in the following table. Prisoners may participate in both education and work and training so there is a degree of overlap in the figures given.

Institution

Average % of prison population per work and training session

Average % of prison population attending education

Arbour Hill

53

57

Castlerea

19

38

Cloverhill

5

19

Cork

21

43

Dóchas

33

55

Limerick

12

46

Loughan House

11

65

Midlands

17

46

Mountjoy

17

19

Portlaoise

7

54

Shelton Abbey

50

63

St Patrick’s Institution

21

44

Training Unit

55

38

Wheatfield

27

38

Prisoner Releases

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
377 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons on full temporary release from prisons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39225/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 provides that the Minister may approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner. This discretionary instrument assists in gradually preparing suitable offenders for release and in administering short sentences, and is an incentive to well-behaved prisoners.

Temporary release arrangements operate similarly to a system of parole, which is a feature of prison systems worldwide. They are an important vehicle for re-integrating an offender into the community in a planned way. The generally accepted view is that the risk to the community is reduced by planned re-integration of offenders compared with their return to the community on the completion of their full sentence. The Irish Prison Service has also judiciously used temporary release as a means of reducing numbers in times of serious overcrowding. Each case is examined on its own merits and the safety of the public is paramount when decisions are made. In addition, all releases are subject to conditions, which in the vast majority of cases include a requirement to report on a regular basis to the offender's Garda Station. Of course, any offender who breaches his or her conditions may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí.

I can advise the Deputy that on 26 October, 2010 there were 563 persons on reviewable temporary release from prison. Of this, 107 persons were on full temporary release. A condition for prisoners on reviewable temporary release is that they return to the prison on a set day. Their case is then reconsidered with regard to them being granted a further period of temporary release. Prisoners on full temporary release are not required to return to the prison but, obviously, must abide by the conditions of their temporary release until the expiration of their sentence.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
378 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39238/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of board members sitting on the board of each statutory State Agency under my Department's control is set out below:

Name of Board of State Agency

Number of members

Courts Service Board

17

Legal Aid Board

13

Private Security Authority

11

Property Registration Authority

11

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
379 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years from 2006 to 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39253/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is available in the Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years concerned. Copies of these documents are available on the Department of Finance's website (www.finance.gov.ie) and in the Oireachtas Library. I also wish to refer the Deputy to the Revised Estimates Volume for 2010 which contains full year Estimates information for the bodies concerned. Copies of this document are available on the Department of Finance’s website (www.finance.gov.ie) and in the Oireachtas Library.

Crime Levels

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
380 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans for curtailing the activities of drug addicts who consistently rob supermarkets and other such premises; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that jailing such people in the majority of cases does not seem to work; his views on whether such people can be rehabilitated on community projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39259/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government's National Drug Strategy 2009-2016 tackles the complex problem of drug misuse in an integrated way under the five pillar headings of Drugs Supply Reduction, Education and Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. Underpinning this strategy is the collaborative approach in place between statutory services and the community and voluntary sectors. A key feature of this strategy is to provide drug treatment for people in the criminal justice system who require such care.

The Probation Service of the Department of Justice and Law Reform is the lead agency in the assessment and management of offenders in our communities. This Service provides funding to approximately 50 voluntary bodies to add value to the core work of the Service and to assist with the management of offenders in the community. Community based organisations in receipt of funding provide a range of services to offenders including training and education, offender management programmes, residential accommodation, and drug and alcohol abuse treatment programmes.

In keeping with the principles in the National Drug Strategy, the Probation Service is committed to playing its part in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated drug treatment implementation programme. The principal provider of services and funder of medical and non-medical addiction services for both illicit drug and alcohol use is the Health Service Executive through its Social Inclusion Services.

The Deputy will also be aware that in May, 2010 I published a Review of the Drug Treatment Court. This Review provided evidence that the option of the Drug Treatment Court can have encouraging outcomes. The findings suggested that participants who engage with the Programme have reduced rates of recidivism and improved health, education and social skills. Based on this Review and the implementation of a series of recommendations aimed at making the Programme more effective, I approved the continued operation of the Drug Treatment Court for a further two years.

More generally, the Deputy might wish to be aware that I intend to bring forward proposals to Government in the next few weeks to draft legislation to encourage greater use of community service orders in lieu of custodial sentences for minor offences. I should also add that the second Discussion Document of the White Paper on Crime series, ‘Criminal Sanctions', which was published in February 2010 included an examination of the use of non-custodial sanctions generally, such as Community Service. Submissions on this Document were invited from the Public and, in August 2010, my Department published reports of both the submissions received and a consultation seminar held in Dublin Castle in May 2010. The opinions received will be reflected in the development of future policy.

An Garda Síochána continue to monitor the situation with a view to putting in place crime prevention and reduction schemes as appropriate. My Department and its agencies will continue to invest significant efforts and resources into addressing the problems associated with drug misuse and will continue to do so under our National Drugs Strategy.

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
381 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied). [39321/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have absolutely no knowledge of the matter referred to by the Deputy.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
382 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to complaints of anti-social behaviour in an area (details supplied) in County Meath; the steps he will take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39403/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Overseas Development Aid

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
383 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to continue his support by adhering to the stated promise to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39428/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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Ireland is committed to the UN target to provide 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) to Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2015. The Minister for Foreign Affairs confirmed the commitment at the recent United Nations Summit in September. The EU has committed to collectively attain the UN target by 2015, and has set an interim target of 0.51% for Ireland and other Member States in 2010. This year the Government is providing a total of €671 million for ODA. On current projections, this will amount to at least 0.52% of GNP, thereby exceeding the EU interim target. Last year, Ireland was the seventh most generous aid donor in the world in per capita terms. We are ahead of most other EU Member States in our progress towards the achievement of the international ODA target by 2015.

The economic crisis of the past two years has required very difficult decisions across all areas of public expenditure, including the allocations for ODA. The sole motivation and objective of these decisions has been the need to restore stability to the public finances, in order to create the conditions for a resumption of economic growth. Stable public finances and sustained growth in our own economy are the indispensable bases for the resumption of sustainable growth in the aid programme.

The Deputy will be fully aware of the extent of the challenge facing the Government in framing the Budget for 2011. The decision in relation to ODA, as with all budget expenditure decisions, will be taken in the light of our commitment to restoring growth to the Irish economy.

The Government's aid programme is the Irish people's aid programme. We can be justifiably proud that it continues to receive strong international recognition for its quality and effectiveness and for its particular sharp focus on the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa. I am committed to maintaining the high quality of our aid programme, and its focus on the fight against global poverty and hunger.

Passport Applications

Billy Timmins
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Billy Timmins
Question:
384 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38477/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen and that in the case of children full parental or guardian consent is provided. Documentary proof in respect of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required for all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are also available on the Department's website. Birth certificates are among the standard documents that are required for applications that involve children and persons, aged 18 and over the age, who are first–time applicants. These certificates are critical to the passport process in the following ways:

(i) Each certificate confirms and verifies the applicant's personal details such as his/her date and place of birth which appear on that person's passport.

(ii) They help to demonstrate the person's entitlement to Irish citizenship which is a prerequisite for passport issue; and

(iii) Details of parents are stated on these certificates. This is important to the Passport Service in ensuring that the full parental consent to the issue of a passport to a minor is provided.

For the reasons above, birth certificates are and remain a basis requirement for passport applications.

In terms of this case, I can confirm that no passport application has been registered with the Passport Service for the child. It therefore remains open to the child's mother to formally apply for a passport on her behalf. However, it should be noted that a long form birth certificate will be required. Any difficulties that may be encountered by the child's mother in registering her child's birth in Ireland is a matter that she will have to pursue directly with the General Registrar's Office. Their address and contact details as follows:

Office of the Registrar General

Civil Registration Service

Government Offices

Convent Road

Roscommon

LoCall: 1.890.200311 Website: www.groireland.ie

From the details supplied, it should be noted that the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 ("the 2004 Act"). Section 6A of the 2004 Act provides that persons born in the State on or after 1 January, 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or a British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where the parent has been lawfully resident in the State for 3 of the 4 years preceding their birth.

At the time of the birth of the person concerned, her mother was a Polish national. Section 6B(2) of the 2004 Act makes particular provision for parents from EU Member States whereby such nationals may make a declaration in a prescribed form concerning their residence in the island of Ireland within the 4 years preceding the child's birth. This declaration is supported by the submission of the parent's EU passport and by documentary evidence of that parent's residence in Ireland. That non-Irish citizen parent will then be regarded as having resided in the island of Ireland for the declared periods for the purposes of s6A, unless the contrary is proved. This declaration and the supporting documentation in relation to the mother's residence will be required in any future passport application that is made for this child on this basis.

Foreign Conflicts

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
385 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the effects, if any, of the partial lifting of the blockade by Israel on human rights in Gaza. [38611/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The blockade of Gaza remains in force, in the sense that Israel continues to require that it be able to control and security screen goods entering the strip, and for this reason it continues to prevent any direct shipments by sea to Gaza. However, a number of measures have been taken to relax the conditions for goods entering Gaza by the land crossings from Israel. The previous highly restricted and opaque list of goods which were allowed into Gaza has been replaced by a more transparent ‘negative list' of goods which are not allowed in, principally materials recognised internationally as dual use goods. For the wide range of food and consumer goods, the previous restrictions have therefore been removed.

The overall volume of goods allowed into Gaza has been progressively increased, and now stands at about 50% higher than before the summer. This is a very welcome increase, but still only amounts to about one third of the volume of goods which were entering Gaza in the period before the blockade.

There has been a modest improvement in the availability of food and consumer goods. However, much of the recent increase has been goods which have simply displaced the more expensive goods previously brought in through the tunnel economy, which is now greatly reduced. Continued expansion of the volume of imports will be needed if there is to be significant improvement in the living conditions for ordinary Gazans.

Because goods entering Gaza remain subject to rigorous security checks, there are infrastructural bottlenecks which limit how quickly this volume can be increased. Israel has indicated steps it is taking to increase the capacity of the crossing points. This is clearly work in progress, which I shall be following closely. Additional capacity should be made available as soon as possible, to arrive quickly at a point where all of Gaza's needs can be routinely met.

There remain two serious areas of concern. First, while steel, cement and other construction materials are allowed into Gaza in greater quantities than before — but in a very closely controlled procedure, on the grounds that such materials could also be used for military purposes by Hamas or others — considerably greater flows are needed to repair the damage to infrastructure, housing and businesses. Greater effort should be made to facilitate UNRWA in its effort to build sufficient schools in which it teaches tolerance and respect for human rights. In the absence of such schools, parents have no option but to send their children to Hamas schools, built with smuggled materials, which teach a very different curriculum.

Secondly, there has been no provision yet for a resumption of exports from Gaza, or for the ordinary movement of persons. Without these, economic life cannot resume, and Gazans will remain in a state of permanent dependency and unemployment, the conditions in which militancy flourishes.

While I recognise the improvements that have taken place in Gaza, I want to see more done — and more quickly. All restrictions save those directly necessitated by security should be removed.

It is important to recognise that there are many human rights concerns in relation to Gaza apart from the blockade. Under the control of Hamas in the last three years, there has been growing concern about the increasing number and secrecy of executions, including of political opponents, of restrictions on freedom of expression, the media, and NGOs, and actions to restrict the freedom of women. None of these areas have shown any recent improvement; indeed, they seem to be worsening.

It is also appropriate to recall that militant groups in Gaza continue to aim missiles and mortars deliberately at civilian areas in Israel, although thankfully the volume is now significantly reduced. I reiterate my condemnation of such indiscriminate attacks and of those who perpetrate them. In addition, the Israeli soldier, Sgt Shalit, who was abducted while on duty in Israel, remains in captivity in Gaza, without being allowed visits even by the Red Cross. I again urge those holding Sgt. Shalit to release him.

Passport Applications

Mary Upton
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Mary Upton
Question:
386 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38659/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. Proofs of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. As the person in question was born in 2010, her entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 (the 2004 Act). Those persons, who were born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside without restriction in the State or in Northern Ireland, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where a parent has a period of reckonable residency in the State for 3 years of the 4 years preceding their birth.

In the case of applications for passports arising from the terms of the 2004 Act, it is the practice of the Passport Office to seek evidence of lawful residence in the State by one or both parents. The general types of evidence considered are immigration stamps in passports and Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) cards and registration books. In cases where a parent is a refugee, the evidence required is the travel document for declared refugees, which is issued by the Department of Justice and Law Reform, a GNIB card and the letter from the Department of Justice and Law Reform which declares the parent to be a refugee.

A passport application was submitted for this child on 07 September, 2010. The evidence submitted showed that the child's father did not have the required amount of reckonable residence in the four years prior to his children's birth in accordance with guidelines provided to the Passport Service by the Department of Justice and Law Reform, which is responsible for citizenship and immigration matters. Accordingly, the passport application could not be approved The guidelines direct that periods of residency in the State, prior to obtaining a declaration as a refugee in accordance with the Refugee Act, 1996, are not reckonable for the purposes of the 2004 Act. The evidence provided by the applicant's father to the Passport Service shows that while he was resident in State from May 2007, he was not declared a refugee until 26 October 2007. Accordingly he does not have the necessary period of reckonable residency prior to the birth of the applicant.

The guideline with regard to residence, that arises prior to the date on which a person is declared a refugee, is currently being reviewed by the Department of Justice and Law Reform in consultation with the Passport Service. If, on foot of this review, the guideline changes, the Passport Service will of course re-examine the passport application and contact the applicant's parents accordingly.

EU Enlargement

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
387 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on Serbia’s application to the EU; and his position on bringing those responsible for the 8,000 civilian massacred at Srebrenica to justice. [38660/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
391 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking on behalf of the Irish nation to ensure that persons (details supplied) are brought to the Hague tribunal and that this takes place before Serbia is allowed to proceed further on the path to European Union accession. [38752/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 391 together.

Serbia submitted its application for EU membership in December 2009.At the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 25 October, Ministers unanimously decided to refer the application to the European Commission for its opinion.This is essentially a technical step and usually happens quickly following the submission of an application.The period for the formulation of that opinion has no specific timeframe, although the Commission's research on Serbia's application is likely to take several months and a report is not expected until the second half of 2011.

The Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union and reiterated that each country's progress towards the Union depends on its individual efforts to comply with the Copenhagen criteria and the conditionality of the Stabilisation and Association Process.The Council also reiterated that a constructive approach towards regional cooperation is essential and called for progress in the process of EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

The Council recalled that, in line with the political criteria of Copenhagen, full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is an essential condition for membership of the EU and that Serbia's full cooperation with the ICTY is already required by the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement (Articles 2 and 4).The Council furthermore called upon Serbia to implement recommendations presented by the ICTY Office of the Prosecutor to the United Nations Security Council in June 2010 concerning Serbia's support in ongoing trials and appeals and Serbia's assistance in the key matter of the arrest of the two remaining fugitives, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic. In addition, the Council underlined that, at each stage of Serbia's path towards EU accession, further steps will be taken only when the Council unanimously decides that full co-operation with the ICTY exists or continues to exist.Negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) began in 2005. The negotiation and signing process for the EU-Serbia SAA was delayed on a number of occasions until the EU was satisfied with Belgrade's level of cooperation with the Tribunal.Ministers decided at the June Foreign Affairs Council to submit the EU-Serbia SAA to national parliaments for ratification following positive assessments by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor regarding Serbia's ongoing cooperation with the Tribunal.

I share the widespread revulsion at the appalling massacres at Srebrenica and elsewhere during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and I too want to see the perpetrators brought to justice as soon as possible.Regrettably, as we know from experience elsewhere, including in this country, justice can sometimes take time to deliver.

Serbia must do all in its power to ensure that Mladic and Hadzic are immediately handed over to the ICTY. However, I believe that we, for our part, should acknowledge the substantial progress Serbia has made in the ten years since public outrage led to the end of the Milo?evic regime.Serbia today is a different place from the Serbia of Milo?evic because of the courageous decisions of governments in Belgrade since then.Over the past year, in particular, we have seen a number of positive developments which demonstrate that Serbia's Government has moved away from the destructive politics of past decades.

These positive developments include:the declaration by the Belgrade Parliament last March condemning the Srebrenica massacre; the appointment by Bosnia and Herzegovina in March of an Ambassador in Belgrade for the first time in three years; the handing over of the wartime notebooks of Ratko Mladic to the ICTY in May; the joint visit by the Serbian and Croatian Presidents to Bosnia for the Srebrenica commemoration this July; the indictment in September of nine former paramilitaries by the country's war crimes prosecutor over the killing of ethnic Albanians during the Kosovo conflict; and the joint EU-Serbia UN General Assembly resolution on Kosovo this September.

I met with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in New York last month.He emphasised the importance Serbia attaches to EU integration and underlined Belgrade's commitment to working with the ICTY. In response to my questioning, he assured me that his government is determined to secure the arrest of the two remaining indictees.

I believe that the most likely means of achieving the arrest of Mladic and Hadzic lies in a combination of encouragement and pressure designed to empower the progressive elements in Serbia and that it is important that we send a signal to the people of Serbia that we recognise the positive direction their country has taken in the past decade. I welcome, therefore, the unanimous decision by Ministers to request an opinion on Serbia's membership application from the Commission. We should continue to assist and encourage Serbia in its reform programme, as it rebuilds its relations with its neighbours and moves towards the EU.At the same time, as with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement process, the EU will insist at each stage in the process that Serbia cooperates fully with the ICTY.

Overseas Development Aid

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
388 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding a submission (details supplied); the actions he will take to address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38667/10]

Billy Timmins
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Billy Timmins
Question:
390 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding the increased involvement of China in providing aid to Africa; if this policy is in conflict with aid as supplied by Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38715/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 390 together.

The submission referred to by Deputy Wall concerns two newspaper articles regarding, respectively, the role of China in Africa and the UN report on what happened in the DRC between 1993 and 2003, in particular the role of other countries, including Rwanda.

I am aware of the contrast often made between what has been perceived as the commercial focus of China's policy in Africa and the primary focus of Ireland and the EU on issues such as poverty reduction, human rights and good governance. However, I believe that this contrast can be overstated. There are signs that China is increasingly aware of the importance of peace and stability in Africa and, as such, these are areas of shared interest with Ireland and the EU. China also has a large contribution to make in Africa by the sharing of experience on the reduction of poverty, including in some key areas for Africa such as raising agricultural productivity.

At the EU-China Summit held in Nanjing last November both sides welcomed trilateral dialogue between the EU, China and Africa, and agreed to explore appropriate areas for cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the full and timely achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and to supporting Africa's sustainable development and early economic recovery from the global financial crisis. At the most recent summit, held in Brussels earlier this month, both sides reaffirmed their active commitment to peace and sustainable development of the world.

I am also of the view that the commitment of African countries to human rights, gender equality, good governance and the fight against corruption is not only the product of pressure related to assistance from donors. African countries are participants in a wide range of international instruments which guarantee such freedoms and are, as is Ireland, accountable under the terms of these international agreements.

On 1 October the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report which documented the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed within the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between March 1993 and June 2003. I fully support the statement by High Representative Ashton in which she welcomed the report as an additional contribution in the global fight against impunity for human rights violations, and expressed the EU's determination to support the prevention of crimes violating human rights and humanitarian law, and the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of such crimes.

As regards the provision of Overseas Development Aid to Africa, Ireland's assistance has a strong focus on poverty reduction and hunger. We work closely with our partner governments in Africa, and other donors, to ensure that international aid has the most effective impact in reducing poverty, alleviating hunger and in the providing basic services such as health and education. We welcome the provision of development aid to Africa by new donors, such as China, who share our commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Ireland will continue to work with our partners in Africa, and other international donors to ensure that Overseas Development Assistance is directed to those areas most in need and is used in the most effective way in the fight against hunger and poverty. For our part, we are determined to deliver on our commitment that Ireland's Aid Programme will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in Africa.

Billy Timmins
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Billy Timmins
Question:
389 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the implications an UN report (details supplied) will have on the allocation of Irish aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38714/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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The OHCHR (the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) Report of the Mapping Exercise documenting the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the period of 1993 to 2003 is an important contribution to the global efforts to address impunity for human rights violations. The Report identifies countries “that could be held responsible for serious violations of human rights committed by their national armies during the period in question”, including Rwanda.

In HR Ashton's statement on behalf of the EU after the publication of the Report, which Ireland fully supports, she reiterated the determination of the EU to support the prevention of crimes violating human rights and humanitarian law, and strongly supports the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of such crimes.

Rwanda has made considerable progress in seeking to overcome the human and economic legacy of the terrible genocide visited upon the country in 1994. While Irish Aid does not provide budget support to the Government of Rwanda, assistance is provided directly to the Rwandan people through a number of NGO, civil society and missionary partners which carry out enormously important work in helping to rebuild Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide there. In 2010, Irish Aid expects to provide approximately €2 million to the Rwandan people through our partners.

Our main NGO partners include Concern, Trocaire and Christian Aid as well as Misean Cara, which supports missionaries working on the ground in Rwanda. This funding is used to support Basic Education, Primary Health Care, Water Sanitation and Community Rural Development in Rwanda.

Question No. 390 answered with Question No. 388.

Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 387.

State Visits

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
392 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide names of persons involved in the committee arranging the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in 2011. [39038/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach has indicated already that it is right and timely that the transformation of relations between Britain and Ireland should be reflected in a State visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth. Reconciliation between Ireland and Great Britain has been hugely advanced over recent decades, most importantly through the working together of successive Irish and British governments on the peace process, and the Government is of the view that relations between our own two countries should be marked by the normal courtesies between neighbouring states. I am sure that the vast majority of Irish people would welcome a State visit by Queen Elizabeth in the present day spirit of mutual respect between our nations and friendship between the peoples of these islands. All relevant Government Departments and agencies would co-operate as required to put in place the necessary arrangements for any such visit.

Official Engagements

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
393 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all meetings facilitated by the embassy in London between Ministers and other parties during the course of July and August 2010; if he will further provide the cost of each such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39116/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Embassy in London facilitated meetings for three Ministers during the period in question. The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D., visited London from 1 to 2 July 2010. She was invited to make a speech at the Embassy to some 120 representatives of the Irish International Business Network in support of the Embassy's work in promoting the Irish economy. Following the speech, the Ambassador hosted a networking reception, the total cost of which was £1,450.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ms Mary Hanafin, T.D., visited London from 2 to 4 July 2010 with the objective of boosting Irish tourism in the UK, our most important overseas market. The Minister's programme included briefings with Tourism Ireland and Embassy officials and a series of interviews with correspondents from the Irish and British media. The Ambassador hosted a working lunch at the Embassy for senior representatives of the Business Tourism industry in Britain in preparation for opening of The Convention Centre Dublin. The total cost of the lunch, which was attended by some 40 people, was £2,030.34. The Ambassador also hosted a reception at the Embassy for 140 guests to launch the digitisation of the 1901 and 1911 Census. The total cost of the reception was £1,837.95.

The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D., visited London from 19 to 20 July 2010 on Government business. The Embassy hosted a business breakfast, the cost of which was £135. The costs referred to in the second and fourth paragraphs were met by the Embassy from funds allocated to it for such purposes and the costs in respect of the third paragraph will be recouped from Tourism Ireland.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
394 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39251/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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There are no state agencies operating under the remit of my Department.

International Agreements

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
395 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of the 12 October 2010, if he will list all treaties into which the State has entered, which have not been laid before the Dáil; the date on which each treaty was signed and ratified by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39260/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 378 of 12 October 2010 I am confident that the vast majority of international agreements which entered into force since 1937 have now been laid before the Dáil but it is possible that a small number of further agreements will be identified and any such agreements will be laid before the Dáil in due course. All historical agreements identified by my Department to date have been laid before the Dáil. I also indicated that the Department now seeks to lay all international agreements before the end of the calendar year following the year in which they enter into force for the State. Thus, in 2011 my Department will arrange for the laying before the Dáil of the international agreements which enter into force for the State in 2010. A provisional list of agreements to be laid before the Dáil in 2011 is set out below, although it cannot be precluded that further agreements will be added to the list by the end of the year. A multilateral agreement may, under its own terms, enter into force internationally when the number of states required by it for that purpose has ratified it. Where Ireland ratifies the agreement subsequently there is then a later date of entry into force.

Title of Agreement

Date of Signature

Date of Ratification/ Accession/ Notification

Date of Entry into Force for Ireland

Date of Entry into Force Internationally

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tajikistan, of the other part

11/10/2004

11/06/2007

01/01/2010

01/01/2010

Trade Amendment to the Energy Charter Treaty

n/a

13/07/2001

21/01/2010

21/01/2010

Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance between the United States of America and the European Union signed on 25 June 2003, as to the application of the Treaty between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

14/07/2005

28/10/2009

01/02/2010

01/02/2010

Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement on Extradition between the United States of America and the European Union signed 25 June 2003 as to the Application of the Treaty on Extradition between Ireland and the United States of America

14/07/2005

28/10/2009

01/02/2010

01/02/2010

Amendment to the Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals

n/a

25/07/2005

27/02/2010

27/02/2010

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty

19/12/1997

14/12/2009

14/03/2010

06/03/2002

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty

19/12/1997

14/12/2009

14/03/2010

20/05/2002

Agreement between Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Spain, the Italian Republic, the Portuguese Republic, the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing a Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics

30/09/2007

21/07/2008

02/04/2010

02/04/2010

Protocol No. 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the Control System of the Convention

13/05/2004

10/11/2004

01/06/2010

01/06/2010

Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on the privileges of US employees assigned to Preclearance duties in Ireland pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Air Transport Preclearance

17/11/2008

06/07/2010

06/07/2010

06/07/2010

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

13/12/2000

17/06/2010

17/07/2010

25/12/2003

Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime

13/12/2000

17/06/2010

17/07/2010

28/01/2004

Convention on Cluster Munitions

03/12/2008

03/12/2008

01/08/2010

01/08/2010

Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

13/04/2007

13/07/2010

01/11/2010

01/02/2008

Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption

19/06/1996

28/07/2010

01/11/2010

01/05/1995

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

22/05/2001

05/08/2010

03/11/2010

17/05/2004

EU Strategy

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
396 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the implementation strategy of the specific proposals contained in the EU 2020 policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39308/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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I welcome the new Europe 2020 Strategy which was adopted by the European Council on 17 June and the Government fully supports the core elements . I believe that the Strategy will provide an essential framework for action by the EU and Member States to achieve higher levels of sustainable jobs and growth as economic recovery is secured. As the Deputy will be aware, the European Council has agreed five headline targets in the areas of: employment; research and development, including innovation; climate change and energy; education; and social inclusion, in particular poverty. Following the identification of these EU level targets attention now shifts to the substantial body of work which must be undertaken, both at national and EU level, to ensure that this Strategy is implemented.

The June European Council also endorsed the first of the Commission's Flagship Initiatives, a "Digital Agenda for Europe". It focuses on the 21st century technologies and on-line services that will enable Europe to boost job creation, promote economic prosperity and improve the daily lives of EU citizens and businesses in a variety of ways. The overall aim of is to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits from a digital single market based on fast and ultra fast internet and interoperable applications. Successful delivery of the Digital Agenda will spur innovation, economic growth and improvements in daily life for both citizens and businesses.

In September, the Commission launched "Youth on the Move", a Flagship Initiative aimed at helping young people to gain knowledge, skills and experience. It is aimed at making education and training more relevant to young people's needs and encouraging more of them to take advantage of EU grants to study or train in another country. This will increase young people's employability and access to the labour market.

Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, earlier this month, launched the "Innovation Union" Flagship Initiative. The Innovation Union initiative is intended to remove obstacles to innovation by mobilising greater venture capital and unifying Europe's fragmented research system. It also aims to refocus R&D and innovation policy on the pressing challenges facing society, such as climate change, energy and resource efficiency and demographic change.

The presentation of the remaining four Flagship Initiatives will take place before the end of this year. These Flagship programmes are intended to support implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy through activities at Union level.

In support of the EU-wide targets, Member States are now to set national targets using appropriate indicators which take into account national circumstances and priorities. This approach allows each Member State to reflect national policy priorities and/or to build on national targets, if these are already in place. Each Member State will consider how their national targets will contribute to the achievement of the EU level targets in dialogue with the Commission.

Work on the identification of Ireland's national targets under each of the five EU headline targets is well underway. Officials from the European Commission visited Ireland on 27-28 September to discuss national targets and potential bottlenecks. A follow-up meeting in Brussels between Irish and Commission officials took place on 5 October. Following these most constructive bilateral exchanges, work is progressing well on the finalisation of relevant national targets.

These national targets will serve as an important element in the preparation of an initial draft of Ireland's National Reform Programme, which is to be prepared by mid-November 2010. It is currently anticipated that final agreement on our National Reform Programme will be reached in April 2011. It is expected that the European Council will take stock of progress under this Strategy at its meeting in December.

EU Enlargement

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
397 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress being made by Turkey in meeting the Copenhagen requirements for EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39309/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The process involved in Turkey's negotiations on EU Membership is based on rigorous conditionality, including with regard to the Copenhagen Criteria which cover political and economic dimensions as well as the ability to take on the Union's acquis. Progress has been made in some areas; in others it has been slow. Turkey still has substantial work ahead in meeting all the established criteria and conditions for membership.

Successive European Councils have recognised Turkey's efforts towards reform, and commitment to the EU negotiation process. Last December's General Affairs Council, in a statement later endorsed by the European Council, acknowledged Turkey's positive steps in the areas of the judiciary, civil-military relations and cultural rights. While much has been achieved in Turkey in these areas, the challenge is now for Turkey to maintain and accelerate the progress on reforms. Last December's Council stated further that it was encouraged by Turkey's democratic progress, including with regard to the Kurdish issue. At the same time, Council said that further efforts to ensure that Turkey fully meets the Copenhagen criteria are required in a number of areas, including human rights and civic freedoms.

Turkey's continued non-compliance with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol by continuing to refuse to open its ports and airports to vessels and aircraft from the Republic of Cyprus continues to be an issue. The Council decided in 2006 that eight chapters of the accession framework could not be opened and no further chapters would be provisionally closed until Turkey fulfils its commitments in this regard. These measures remain in place. The matter is kept under review by EU Ministers in the Council, most recently at their meeting last December, and it is expected to be part of the discussions on enlargement at this December's Council. At the bilateral level I have met twice with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in March and more recently in September. Minister Davutoglu outlined the progress Turkey has made on reforms in a number of areas as it has sought to bring Turkey more in line with the EU acquis . He explained how the accession negotiations provide a strong incentive for Turkey to pursue reforms, strengthen democracy and human rights and further modernise the country.

In the course of both meetings with Minister Davutoglu this year, I reiterated to the Minister Ireland's support for the Turkish candidacy. At the same time, I noted the Council's deep regret at Turkey's continued non-compliance with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol and I highlighted the need for Turkey to make progress towards normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Mr. Egemen Bagis, plans to visit Dublin in November and we look forward to discussing further the progress Turkey has made in reforms following passage of the recent referendum on constitutional reform, and the challenges which still lie ahead.

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Byrne
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Thomas Byrne
Question:
398 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if he outline the reasons for the refusal to award rent allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Meath. [38595/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that no application for rent supplement was made in this case.

The person concerned should contact the Community Welfare Officer dealing with their supplementary welfare allowance claim if they wish to apply for rent supplement.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
399 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a regional breakdown of the numbers awaiting a consultation with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service; the average waiting period for those wishing to meet with an adviser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB), who has responsibility for MABS, compiles information on the waiting times and numbers in each MABS region on a quarterly basis and posts it to the www.mabs.ie website. A table of the most recently published information, as at 30 September 2010, is set out below for your information.

Based on the latest information available, the average waiting time from first point of contact to first appointment with a money adviser is 4.9 weeks. This is the average nationally and there are fluctuations between offices.

During the waiting period, clients are assessed and those in need of immediate assistance are given a priority appointment, others are provided with assisted self-help to ensure that they have taken steps to assess their situation and if appropriate they are supported to take holding action with their creditors.

I am satisfied that MABS provides a high quality personal service to assist people in overcoming their indebtedness and managing their finances.

Client Waiting Times & Numbers at 30th September 2010

Region

Contact Phone Number

Average Waiting time Weeks

No. awaiting first appointment

Arklow & District

0402 91200

5.00

45

Athlone

090 6476616

3.00

14

Ballymun

01 8620059

2.50

24

Blanchardstown

01 8206324

8.50

100

Bray

01 2760411

2.00

28

Carlow

059 9140977

2.10

40

Cavan

049 4362900

3.80

25

Charleville

063 81603

3.50

10

Clare /Shannon Office

065 6841991 /061 360422

5.00

38

Clondalkin

01 4575782

8.00

80

Cork

021 4552080

5.80

85

Cork North

022 43879

4.00

41

Cork West

023 8855155

3.50

21

Donegal North / Inishowen

074 9129909 / 074 9321856

5.00

24

Donegal South

074 9724462

3.00

7

Drogheda

041 9842810

3.50

50

Dublin 10 + 20 (Comac) Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard

01 6235443/01 6233900

3.50

25

Dublin 12 Area

01 4560731

8.00

29

Dublin North City

01 8794006

3.70

26

Dublin North East

01 8674892

6.00

46

Dublin South East

01 6706555

5.50

39

Dun Laoghaire

01 2302002

3.00

25

Dun na nGall Iarthar

074 9560747

5.05

10

Dundalk/Oriel

042 9327823

4.90

47

Dundrum/Rathfarnham

01 2990360

7.00

45

Fingal

01 8901102

5.30

48

Finglas

01 8642148

8.00

68

Galway North

093 24421

15.00

52

Company

Contact Phone Number

Average Waiting time Weeks

No. awaiting first appointment

Galway South (Galway City/Loughrea)

091 569349/ 091 841869

2.50

38

Kerry

066 7129750

3.00

44

Kildare (Kilcock/Kildare)

01 628 4466 / 045 435558

18.40

125

Kilkenny

056 7761777

2.10

17

Laois

057 8661727

8.50

72

Leitrim

071 9644994

4.50

35

Liffey South West

01 4731878

4.50

73

Limerick

061 310620

0.80

112

Longford

043 3347705

0.85

16

Mayo North

096 72902

7.60

19

Mayo South

094 9028888

13.50

58

Meath

046 9072836

0.60

0

Monaghan

042 9749189

2.00

17

Mullingar

044 9340871

2.60

19

Offaly

057 9323211

6.00

40

Roscommon

0906 627811

2.50

9

Sligo

071 91 41022

8.60

58

Tallaght

01-4203274

7.00

95

Tipperary North (Nenagh/Thurles)

067 41033/0504 23510

6.20

39

Tipperary South (Clonmel/Tipperary Town)

052 6129313/062 33410

3.50

81

Waterford

051 857929

1.00

0

Waterford West

058 44922

0.20

8

Wexford

053 9121504

1.00

82

Clár Seirbhísí Pobail

Dinny McGinley
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Dinny McGinley
Question:
400 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a Roinn ó eagras (sonraí tugtha) ar dheontas faoi scéim CSP agus an bhfuil cinneadh déanta an deontas a cheadú [38761/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Formheasadh an eagraíocht dá dtagraíonn an Teachta le haghaidh maoiniú ón gClár Seirbhísí Pobail i mí na Bealtaine 2010. Éagfaidh an conradh ag deireadh mhí na Nollag 2010 ar aon dul le gach conradh eile faoin gClár sin. Tá tograí á mbreithniú agam i láthair na huaire chun síneadh a chur le conarthaí na n-eagraíochtaí sin a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí faoin gClár Seirbhísí Pobail. Tá an eagraíocht i gceist san áireamh sa phróiseas sin. Tairgfear conradh trí bliana don eagraíocht sin ó Eanáir 2011, faoi réir maoiniú leordhóthanach a bheith curtha ar fáil. Tá súil agam go mbeidh ar mo chumas toradh an phróisis seo a chur in iúl don eagraíocht sna seachtainí romhainn.

Social Welfare Benefits

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
401 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a breakdown nationally per Health Service Executive administrative area of the number of non-Irish national people claiming rent allowance; their county of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39033/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department of Social Protection by the Community Welfare Services division of the Health Service Executive.

With effect from May 2004 supplementary welfare allowance is subject to a statutory Habitual Residence Condition (HRC). All applicants regardless of nationality are required to be habitually resident in the state in order to qualify for rent supplement.

An EEA national who is engaged in genuine and effective employment in Ireland is regarded as a worker under EC law and is treated as habitually resident for the purpose of a rent supplement claim. In addition, the European Court of Justice has ruled that SWA, which includes rent supplement, is a social benefit under Article 7 of EC Regulation 1612/68. Nationals of other EEA countries who come and work in Ireland may be treated in the same way as Irish workers in determining entitlement to rent supplement and this EU law takes precedence over HRC. EEA nationals who are in Ireland but have not been employed here are subject to HRC review.

A number of different factors are taken into consideration in deciding whether a person satisfies the HRC, including, in particular, the following:

a. the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;

b. the length and purpose of any absence from the State;

c. the nature and pattern of the person's employment;

d. the person's main centre of interest, and

e. the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.

The onus is always on applicants to provide sufficient evidence to support their HRC status.

Asylum seekers who arrived in Ireland after May 2004 are not eligible for rent supplement. Asylum seekers who were receiving rent supplement prior to 1st May 2004 continue to receive these payments.

The information the Deputy has requested is set out in the following tabular statement.

Country

HSE East

HSE South

HSE South East

HSE West

HSE North East

HSE Mid West

HSE North West

HSE Midland

Total

Ireland

24,158

7,814

7,037

5,657

4,030

4,584

2,804

2,894

58,978

Poland

3,277

1,499

1,077

881

557

645

337

670

8,943

United Kingdom

1,163

1,001

743

871

353

379

562

219

5,291

Lithuania

1,330

233

205

180

437

109

77

206

2,777

Nigeria

1,675

209

56

109

229

96

34

92

2,500

Latvia

728

131

206

134

213

136

39

109

1,696

Romania

1,336

90

48

28

100

14

21

21

1,658

Slovakia

325

79

93

50

44

63

17

115

786

Congo

416

55

14

21

33

31

3

25

598

Somalia

421

46

39

3

10

44

6

7

576

Czech Republic

150

114

52

42

45

57

8

46

514

Iraq

314

40

14

15

3

23

5

4

418

Hungary

176

75

30

28

17

28

6

10

370

Germany

97

81

30

57

22

35

26

11

359

Ukraine

217

27

24

9

20

19

7

13

336

Sudan

135

50

46

10

1

58

14

3

317

Algeria

258

14

6

14

6

8

8

314

Russia

204

28

17

23

8

17

2

8

307

South Africa

138

42

23

25

30

23

5

21

307

Estonia

138

37

61

16

15

18

5

12

302

Moldova

214

14

10

6

17

5

1

3

270

Northern Ireland

38

8

8

24

31

4

137

6

256

France

122

42

8

30

12

12

9

13

248

Pakistan

121

19

8

32

19

16

7

23

245

Iran

162

15

3

4

3

5

21

4

217

Italy

117

27

14

27

10

7

2

8

212

Portugal

52

38

53

20

12

5

2

27

209

USA

60

47

18

34

14

14

14

4

205

Spain

118

23

6

30

3

15

5

3

203

Angola

144

14

11

5

11

10

1

6

202

Scotland

42

17

8

34

6

10

66

7

190

Cameroon

118

29

9

8

7

13

1

2

187

Ghana

75

22

4

13

10

21

24

3

172

Zimbabwe

81

24

10

15

8

10

4

8

160

Netherlands

56

29

12

10

12

10

15

6

150

Georga

98

35

3

10

1

1

1

149

Albania

108

16

7

2

2

5

1

141

Afghanistan

73

21

4

1

2

22

1

2

126

Kosovo

90

20

6

1

2

4

123

Brazil

42

7

13

39

5

3

5

7

121

China

82

14

3

4

2

9

1

2

117

Bulgaria

85

8

2

4

5

2

2

7

115

Libya

77

9

7

3

3

4

1

104

Bangladesh

34

32

11

12

9

4

102

Croatia

24

27

11

11

6

6

2

6

93

Bosnia

83

1

2

1

87

Philippines

63

8

3

4

1

2

3

1

85

Togo

31

21

10

6

14

1

1

84

Kenya

47

11

7

5

4

3

3

80

Sierra Leone

49

12

3

1

7

4

1

1

78

Egypt

42

2

9

3

3

2

16

77

Belarus

33

6

6

6

5

11

1

68

Ethiopia

46

9

4

1

2

5

1

68

Ivory Coast

37

11

2

4

7

4

3

68

India

33

8

5

4

3

5

4

4

66

Eritrea

39

10

2

1

9

2

1

64

Morocco

27

4

7

1

1

19

3

62

Rwanda

36

6

5

2

2

3

1

1

56

Turkey

27

6

5

4

4

4

1

51

Belgium

32

9

6

1

1

1

50

Guinea

33

6

1

2

1

5

48

Uganda

22

7

2

5

4

4

3

47

Palestine

27

6

3

3

1

5

45

Zambia

19

5

6

3

1

8

2

1

45

Wales

7

15

10

1

2

4

3

42

Canada

14

4

4

5

6

1

3

4

41

Kuwait

34

4

1

1

40

Zaire

36

2

2

40

Kazakhstan

23

3

2

4

2

4

38

Vietnam

36

1

37

Sweden

20

5

5

2

2

1

35

Uzbekistan

20

6

4

2

1

2

35

Malaysia

20

6

2

2

1

1

32

Malta

11

5

2

3

6

3

1

31

Syria

23

2

2

3

1

31

Australia

13

2

1

6

2

2

4

30

Liberia

13

4

1

5

1

5

1

30

Austria

14

5

1

2

5

1

28

Armenia

17

5

1

2

1

1

27

Yugoslavia

21

4

1

1

27

Tunisia

20

2

1

1

1

25

Burundi

12

4

1

1

1

3

1

23

Israel

14

3

2

1

1

1

1

23

Lebanon

15

2

3

2

1

23

Thailand

14

4

3

1

1

23

Chechnya

18

3

1

22

Finland

12

3

1

3

1

1

1

22

Greece

14

4

3

1

22

Cuba

18

1

2

21

Sri Lanka

5

4

1

4

3

1

2

20

Mongolia

18

18

Burma

8

1

5

1

1

16

Jordan

11

2

1

1

15

Mauritus

10

2

1

2

15

Niger

7

4

2

1

1

15

Denmark

7

4

2

1

14

El Salvador

7

2

1

1

2

13

Serbia

3

5

1

3

1

13

Azerbaijan

10

2

12

Kyrgyzstan

9

2

11

Malawi

6

2

2

1

11

Maldives

9

1

1

11

New Zealand

3

2

2

1

1

1

10

Flood Relief

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
402 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure of the humanitarian aid funds in each of the areas, south Galway and Ballinasloe and the other areas in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39426/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

In recognition of the devastation suffered by people in many areas of the country as a result of the flooding from November 2009 onwards, the Government set up a humanitarian assistance scheme to provide income tested financial support to people who have suffered damages to their homes not covered by insurance. An initial sum of €10million was set aside by the Government for this purpose.

916 payments have been made to 338 individuals to the value of €467,800 in County Galway up to 17 September 2010. A breakdown of statistics is not available in the Department on particular locations within Co Galway — south Galway or on particular towns, for example Ballinasloe.

Social Welfare Appeals

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
403 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the action he is taking to deal with the backlog in social welfare appeals. [39268/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the Social Welfare Appeals Office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,

A number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office,

The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,

A project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented, and

Significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.

In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.

I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

Employment Action Plan

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
404 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend the rural social scheme and the community services programme at no additional cost; the number of new places that will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38982/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

Activation and support for those who are unemployed is a key priority for Government. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced a number of changes to improve the delivery of employment, training and community services to the public by bringing together related responsibilities in these areas. These changes included the restructuring of Departmental responsibilities with the objective of providing a stream-lined response to the income support and job search needs of people who are unemployed.

In this context, my Department is devising proposals for the development of new initiatives based on the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme which will offer social employment opportunities. Considerable work is required on these proposals before they come on stream and take their place within the suite of activation measures aimed at supporting unemployed people. I have not set targets as to how many employment opportunities might be created as much depends on the level of resources that will be available to the Department and the capacity of not-for-profit community based organisations to avail of these emerging opportunities. Details of the rollout of this initiative will be made available as soon as possible.

Social Welfare Appeals

Paul Kehoe
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Paul Kehoe
Question:
405 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38452/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10 May 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 02 September 2010 and the appeal will be referred, in due course, to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Joe Behan
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Joe Behan
Question:
406 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38488/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The person concerned claimed jobseeker's allowance from 31 August 2010 and the claim was closed because she did not return documents as requested. She re-applied for jobseeker's allowance on 29 September 2010 and a decision will be made on her claim as soon as her circumstances have been fully investigated. The person concerned applied for supplementary welfare allowance from 21 July 2010. Her application was disallowed by the community welfare officer on the grounds that she is not habitually resident in the State. I understand that she has lodged an appeal against this decision which is currently being considered by the HSE Appeals Office. In relation to emergency assistance, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, an exceptional needs payment may be made to a person to help meet an essential, once-off cost which cannot be met from the person's own resources. The amount paid under this provision, if any, is assessed by the community welfare officer on a case by case basis.

Social Welfare Appeals

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
407 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals that are currently at hand for all social protection entitlements for County Mayo and the breakdown for each category and the length of time it is taking to process in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38494/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics are not maintained on a county by county basis and it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to County Mayo.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
408 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for carer’s allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [38499/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
409 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding persons (details supplied) a back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [38528/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the end of September each year. A person may qualify for payment of the allowance ifs/he is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course and has household income at or below certain specified levels. The Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for BSCFA from the persons concerned

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
410 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has received correspondence in relation to over-payment of jobseeker’s benefit, when they did not claim same in the period stated and were in fact in full-time education and in receipt of a back to education allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38529/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The person concerned was notified that an overpayment was assessed against him arising from concurrent working and claiming. Following a review, this decision has been revised. No overpayment occurred during the period 15 January 2010 to 7 May 2010 as he was in receipt of Back to Education Allowance. He concurrently worked and claimed Jobseekers Benefit and Supplementary Welfare Allowance from 8 May 2010 until 1 September 2010. He will be notified of this revised decision and the overpayment assessed.

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
411 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review an application for supplementary allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38530/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. Those who qualify are normally in receipt of a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment. Departmental records show that there have been no applications for an ENP from the person concerned. She should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre in order that she can have her claim for entitlements examined.

Departmental Staff

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
412 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a staff transfer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38534/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

In accordance with formal procedures agreed between the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) and the Department of Finance, the names of Clerical Officers and Staff Officers applying for transfer are entered on the Department's transfer lists in the order in which they are received. Vacancies which fall to be filled by way of transfer are filled by reference to these lists in strict order of application date and the Department has no discretion in this regard. The person in question is currently placed 7th on the transfer list for Mullingar, having applied in December 2003. The officers placed ahead of this person would have to be considered before her in the event of any vacancies arising, which are fillable by transfer. There are currently no Clerical Officer vacancies in the Department's office in Mullingar.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
413 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford was told that they would receive €29.80 in children’s allowance and are now only receiving €14.90; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38536/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of half rate child dependent allowance of €14.90 on her disability allowance claim. Her husband is in receipt of half rate child dependent allowance of €14.90 for the same child on his jobseekers allowance claim. The total weekly amount of child dependent allowance payable in respect of any one child is €29.80. If the person's circumstances have changed she should request a review of her claim and her file will be sent to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation.

Citizen Information Services

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
414 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the full role and responsibilities of the Citizens Information Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38541/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
415 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed at the Citizens Information Board for the following years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38542/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
416 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget available to the Citizens Information Board for the following years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38543/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
417 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the premises out of which the Citizens Information Board operates; the total number of locations; the cost of these premises’ rent or other on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38544/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 to 417, inclusive, together.

The Citizens Information Board is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services to the public and for the provision of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, the national free, independent and confidential service for people in debt, in danger of getting into debt or who have money management problems. Under the Citizens Information Act 2007 the Citizens Information Board also has a mandate to provide advocacy targeted at people with disabilities. Furthermore, under the Comhairle Act 2000 the Board has a remit to support, promote and develop the provision of information on the effectiveness of current social policy and services and to highlight issues which are of concern to users of those services.

Services are made available to the public through websites such as www.citizensinformation.ie, the Citizens Information Phone Service and the network of Citizens Information Services and MABS companies. The CIB was established in 2007, in line with the Citizens information Act 2007, having previously been known as Comhairle. The average number of whole time equivalents employed per year for the period 2005-2010 was:

Year/Number

Comhairle

2005: 92

2006: 92

Citizens Information Board

2007: 92

2008: 88

2009: 88

2010: 90

Expenditure for the period 2005-2010 is a follows:

Year/Expenditure

Comhairle

2005: €20.917m

2006: €24.362m

Citizens Information Board

2007: €29.90m

2008: €29.468m

2009: €28.005m

2010 (Allocation): €45.872m (includes funding for MABS)

Responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) transferred to the CIB in July 2009 and expenditure for MABS amounted to €17.041m in 2009. The allocation to CIB in 2010 includes funding for the delivery of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service.

The head office of the Citizens Information Board is located at George's Quay House, 43 Townsend St, Dublin 2. As well as their head office, CIB leases 13 additional offices at locations in Sligo, Galway, Castlebar, Mullingar, Dundalk, Limerick, Cavan, Waterford, Tallaght and Kilkenny. The CIB also owns 5 properties at locations in Dublin, Cork, Letterkenny, Tralee and Sligo. In 2010 the estimated expenditure on rent, rates and service charges in respect of these properties is in the order of €1.285 million. I am satisfied that the Citizens Information Board is managing its resources effectively and discharging its duties in relation to the provision of information, advice and advocacy services, and social policy work as remitted on behalf of the Department.

Social Welfare Appeals

Billy Timmins
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Billy Timmins
Question:
418 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wickow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38564/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, partially allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 22 October 2010. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Code

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
419 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection his views regarding a submission (details supplied); the actions he proposes to take to address the points raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38573/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In considering any changes to social welfare schemes, full consideration is given to the impact of any proposals on the recipients involved. The Government is acutely aware and appreciative of the contribution made by carers. It was for that reason, that when resources were available, we invested heavily in improving social welfare rates and services for carers. Following this year's Budget, the carer's allowance rate for carers over 66 years of age has not changed and remains at €239. The rate of carer's allowance for someone under 66 is €212.

Since the introduction of the carer's allowance in 1990 payments to carers have been increased and expanded. Carer's allowance was increased in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by 12.1%, 6.5% and 3.3%, respectively. As a result, even with the reduction announced in the last Budget for carers under 66, the weekly rate of payment for the carers allowance is still almost 20% higher this year than in 2006 and more than 147% higher than in 1997.

The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €37,200 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as the associated free travel and household benefits. A couple with an income in the region of €60,400 can still qualify for a minimum payment, as well as the associated free travel and household benefits package. These levels surpass the ‘Towards 2016' commitment to ensure those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance.

From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. The rate of the respite care grant has also been increased to €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient since June 2008. The Government will continue to support carers and the people they care for within the resources available.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Noonan
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Michael Noonan
Question:
420 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal to the Health Service Executive for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38598/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as his means are sufficient to meet his accommodation costs. The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to refuse rent supplement to the HSE Appeals Office but the decision was upheld by the HSE Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that they have received an appeal from the person concerned but that no decision has been made on his appeal. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will contact the person concerned when a decision has been made.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
421 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has had their rent supplement cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38621/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that they are currently reviewing the rent supplement entitlement of the person concerned. The HSE will contact the person concerned when the review has been completed.

Mary O'Rourke
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Mary O'Rourke
Question:
422 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding the previous refusal of a mortgage interest relief claim [38625/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
Share

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement as his income of €601.50 per week from his widower's contributory pension and income from his share in a bar are sufficient to meet the interest cost of his mortgage. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned was advised of his right to appeal the decision to refuse payment of mortgage interest supplement but that no appeal has been received to date. It remains open for the person concerned to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
423 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to a rent supplement [38647/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that there is no record of an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for rent supplement she should contact the HSE.

Civil Registration Service

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
424 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38516/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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A general review of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004 is being carried out by An tArd-Chláraitheoir (Registrar General) who has statutory responsibility in relation to the administration of the Civil Registration Service. However, this cannot be concluded until a report from the Law Reform Commission which is expected to contain recommendations relevant to this, is available. It is understood that the report from the Commission will be available by the end of the year. As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of steps to be taken before any amending legislation might come before the Oireachtas and it is not possible to be definite as to timescales at this juncture.

Social Welfare Code

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
425 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to review the habitual residency test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38517/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1st May 2004.

The purpose of the habitual residence condition is to safeguard the social welfare system from abuse by restricting access for people who are not economically active and who have little or no established connection with Ireland.

A person who does not satisfy the habitual residence condition is not eligible for specified social welfare payments, regardless of citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any other factor. The social welfare schemes concerned are jobseeker's allowance, one parent family payment, disability allowance, carer's allowance, widow/er's (non contributory) pension, guardian's payment (non contributory), State pension (non-contributory), blind pension, supplementary welfare allowance (except urgent or exceptional needs payments), domiciliary care allowance and child benefit.

The Department's guidelines are currently being reviewed with the intention of making these clearer and more user-friendly for deciding officers and customers alike. However, I do not propose to amend the legislative provisions regarding the habitual residence condition.

Departmental Records

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
426 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford seeking a recording of his telephone conversation with a staff member of the disability allowance section of the Department; if he will reply to the correspondence; if he will accede to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38743/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The request seeking a recording of a telephone conversation between the person concerned and a member of staff of the Department of Social Protection was received by my office on 19 October 2010.

The Department does not record telephone conversations between customers and staff of the Department and consequently a transcript of this conversation is not available.

The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 2 September 2010. He was asked to furnish additional bank statements which have been received. A Deciding Officer will examine his claim and he will be notified of the decision in due course.

Social Welfare Benefits

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
427 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of family income supplement; the reason for the suspension of payments while applications are under review; the average processing time for reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38746/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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There are currently some 27338 people in receipt of a weekly family income supplement (FIS) payment.

The relevant legislation provides that once FIS is awarded, it continues to be payable at the rate awarded for a period of 52 weeks provided that the person remains in employment. However, the rate of payment may be increased if an additional child is born in the course of the 52 weeks.

In advance of the end of the 52 week period, each FIS recipient is sent a form to apply for renewal of their payment. If they wish to reapply, they must complete and return the form to the department. Payment of FIS stops automatically after a year and only those customers who reapply will have their entitlement re-assessed. Customers who wish to reapply must submit fresh income details in order that their continued entitlement and the appropriate rate for their family circumstances for the coming year can be assessed. Where a customer is entitled to renewal of FIS for a further 52 weeks, they are notified of the rate payable and any arrears due are issued.

Applications received by the department for renewal of FIS are prioritised in accordance with the date that their payment is due to cease. The average processing time for renewal applications is currently 9 weeks.

Social Welfare Appeals

Dinny McGinley
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Dinny McGinley
Question:
428 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability benefit has been received in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the application has been assessed and the position regarding same. [38747/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
429 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39008/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, following receipt of the grounds of appeal from the person concerned, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Martin Ferris
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Martin Ferris
Question:
430 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [39026/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In the time frame available, I regret that my Department is not in a position to reply to this question. My Department will be in contact with the Deputy over the coming days and will reply in full to the question raised.

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
431 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be called for an oral hearing on their disability allowance claim as soon as possible. [39050/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case on 2 November 2010. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Willie O'Dea
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Willie O'Dea
Question:
432 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for jobseeker’s assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [39079/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned against the disallowance of Jobseekers Allowance was registered in that office on 21 August 2010 together with the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal. The appeal will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
433 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that following a review of the case, payment of rent supplement was suspended as the claimant's means were not fully disclosed when making the initial claim.

The HSE has further advised that it has not received an appeal against this decision from the person concerned.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
434 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare had their rent supplement suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39102/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that payment of rent supplement in this case was suspended pending verification of the address of the person concerned.

Payment of rent supplement has now been restored.

Michael McGrath
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Michael McGrath
Question:
435 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the sum of money allocated to RTE in 2010 out of his Department’s budget in respect of the free television licence scheme; his views that such payment is justified in the context of the current Exchequer deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39111/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The cost of the Free TV Licence scheme, administered under the Household Benefit package, was €55.7 million in 2009 and the projected cost for 2010 is €59.2 million.

The current number of eligible customers for the Free TV licence scheme is 389,800.

The Household Benefits package, which comprises the Electricity/Gas Allowance, Telephone Allowance and free Lifetime Television Licence, is available to people living permanently in the State who satisfy specific qualifying criteria.

The package is payable to all customers in receipt of Carer's Allowance and persons aged over 70 years. It is available to customers under the age of 70 in receipt of qualifying payments from this Department or an equivalent payment from a country covered by EU regulation or Bilateral Social Security agreement and who live with certain categories of persons. Customers aged between 66 and 69 years who do not satisfy the criteria may qualify under a means test.

For most people television is an essential support in preventing social isolation; it is the principle medium for information and entertainment. The advantage of the TV licence scheme is that it takes care of a large annual non-discretionary bill for a group who may find it difficult to budget.

Payment for the scheme is made by this Department to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Payments are made on a monthly basis using an agreed formula based on a percentage of the Department's customer base.

Any changes to the current arrangements could only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources. At this stage no decisions have been taken with regard to the forthcoming budget.

Departmental Expenditure

Johnny Brady
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Johnny Brady
Question:
436 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by his Department and also by any bodies under his Department’s jurisdiction in each of the past three years on the provision of Internet applications (details supplied); the processes in place to ensure such funds have been spent on good quality Internet applications, in terms of accessibility, security and data protection. [39128/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Department currently maintains four websites; three external and one internal as follows:

www.welfare.ie

www.groireland.ie

www.nationalpensionsframework.ie

SOLAS

The development and ongoing maintenance of these websites is subject to the Department's project governance provisions ensuring value for money and high quality, including adherence to security, data protection and accessibility standards. The Department also has a customer consultation framework in place whereby we seek participation from customers to assist in developing and validating policies and service delivery mechanisms. This is achieved through surveys, customer panels, as well as meetings with customer representative groups and those engaged in welfare information services.

The Department's main website, www.welfare.ie, contains information on the range of schemes and services provided, as well as policy publications and on-line services. This site was re-designed and re-developed in 2008 and is highly accessible, winning the Accessible e-Government Award at the 2009 Irish e-Government Awards. The content on www.welfare.ie is maintained and updated by Department staff. The website provides a platform for the delivery of a range of on-line service which are integrated with the Department’s systems and processes.

Responsibility for the General Register Office, and for its website www.groireland.ie , was transferred from the Department of Health and Children to this Department from January 1st, 2008. The Department also maintains the www.nationalpensionsframework.ie website. This site was originally launched as www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie in 2007 to coincide with the launch of the Pensions Green Paper and has been recently expanded and renamed to include information on the Government's plans for the future of pensions in Ireland, the National Pensions Framework and its implementation.

A key component of the Department's Document, Record and Information Management (DRIM) programme was the design, development and implementation of an internal corporate portal and document management system called SOLAS, which was launched in 2008. SOLAS provides a single point of access to information, tools, systems and services required by staff to carry out their jobs.

Agencies under the remit of the Department maintain another seven websites. These agencies are subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The Boards of these bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with security, data protection and accessibility standards in addition to fulfilling all regulatory and statutory obligations.

The Citizens Information Board maintains the following five websites:

www.citizensinformation.ie

www.assistireland.ie

www.losingyourjob.ie (launched March 2009)

www.citizensinformationboard.ie

www.keepingyourhome.ie (launched January 2010)

The Pensions Board's maintains the website www.pensionsboard.ie. The Office of the Pensions Ombudsman website www.pensionsombudsman.ie is supported and maintained by the Department's staff.

The costs of all these websites over the last three years are provided in the table below.

Organisation

Website

2008

2009

2010

€

€

€

Department of Social Protection

www.welfare.ie

320,639

61,914

53,870

Department of Social Protection

www.groireland.ie

230

1,892

2,000

Department of Social Protection

www.nationalpensionsframework.ie

4,840

242

816

Department of Social Protection

SOLAS (internal website)

1,147,000

—

—

Citizens Information Board

www.citizensinformation.ie

351,457

258,575

219,722

Citizens Information Board

www.assistireland.ie

100,636

85,030

45,000

Citizens Information Board

www.losingyourjob.ie

—

7,454

2,179

Citizens Information Board

www.citizensinformationboard.ie

18,644

10,882

683

Citizens Information Board

www.keepingyourhome.ie

—

—

612

Pensions Board

www.pensionsboard.ie

22,700

40,019

10,090

Pensions Ombudsman

www.pensionsombudsman.ie

Nil

Nil

Nil

Social Welfare Code

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
437 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to cut or reform child benefit in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39136/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
447 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that the budget for family income supplement for 2011is adequate to meet requirements in the emerging economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39197/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
451 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that the budget for 2011 in respect of child benefit is adequate to meet the likely requirements having particular regard to the trend emerging from previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39201/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 437, 447 and 451 together.

Child income support payments to all families with children have risen in the period since 1997. Spending on Child Benefit increased from €506 million in 1997 to almost €2.5 billion in 2009 while spending on the Family Income Supplement increased from €33 million to €167 million over the same time period. The Government is proud to have been able to direct such substantial increases in financial support to all Irish families in recent years.

However, in the current economic environment, it is necessary to address all aspects of the public finances so as to ensure that they are sustainable and to ensure that fairness exists in the allocation of resources. Clearly social welfare spending and specifically Child Benefit, is a very significant part of overall government spending Social welfare expenditure for 2011, including expenditure on Family Income Supplement and Child Benefit, is currently being considered in the context of the preparation of the departmental estimates for that year. Data on the amounts to be provided for the two schemes in question will be published on Budget Day. Any plans to change the conditions for the Child Benefit payment is a matter to be decided in a budgetary context.

Question No. 438 withdrawn.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
439 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the necessity to ease the qualification regulations for back to education allowance in view of the urgent necessity to encourage persons who find themselves unemployed back to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39188/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.

Changes have been introduced to BTEA to increase flexibility in terms of qualifying for the scheme, with some practical changes to its qualifying conditions coming into effect from 19th July 2010.

Previously, a person who wished to take up a third level course of education could do so after getting a jobseeker or other relevant social welfare payment for 12 months, or 9 months, only if approved by a facilitator of the Department. Since 19th July this period has been set at 9 months for all applicants who are attending third level education (a 2 year qualifying period continues to apply to participants coming from Illness Benefit). People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

Prior to July, a person could only apply for BTEA in respect of a third level course if s/he was commencing year one of the course. Since 19th July, a person can avail of BTEA where s/he previously did not complete his/her course and is returning to the second or subsequent year of the third level course. This also applies to people who are granted an exemption from a period of their third level course.

A person who completed earlier year(s) of his/her third level course on a part-time basis but is now getting a jobseeker's payment, may apply for BTEA to continue the course on a full-time basis.

The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.

Employment Support Measures

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
440 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he and or his Department have examined the beneficial economic impact of encouraging more unemployed persons back to education as a means of preparing for economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39189/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Department of Social Protection operates a range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support social welfare recipients of working age to reduce their dependency on welfare payments. This is done through the operation of a number of schemes such as the Back to Education scheme, Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme, the Short-Term Enterprise allowance scheme, the Technical Assistance and Training Grants and the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive scheme. In addition the Activation and Family Support Programme offers supports to social welfare customers and other disadvantaged persons to assist them to improve their employability and personal and family situations.

The Back to Education Allowance scheme (BTEA) is a scheme which encourages and facilitates people on certain social welfare payments, mainly unemployment, lone parents and illness and disability payments, to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force.

The focus of the Back to Education Allowance is to assist those who are most marginalised and distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system.

The number of participants in the scheme in the 2009/2010 academic year was 20,808 which represented a 79% increase on the previous year. The 2008/2009 academic year also showed an increase of 31% on the previous academic year.

The back to education scheme is only one of the support services through which Government is responding to the challenge of preventing drift into long-term unemployment. In the area of education 157,000 training and work experience places will be provided in 2010, compared to 66,00 places in 2008; higher education institutions have increased the number of places on offer; 48,000 learners will participate in full-time education including VTOS, Youthreach and PLC programmes; an estimated 125,000 will participate in part-time education programmes under the adult literacy, community education and Back to Education schemes; and the Labour Market Activation Fund is supporting almost 60 innovative projects and 12,000 participants in 2010.

This range of programmes and schemes will support unemployed people in acquiring skills which will assist them in returning to employment as the economy recovers and minimise the risk of their drifting into long-term unemployment.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
441 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently on back to work or similar incentive based schemes; the extent if any to which he intends to expand these schemes having particular regard to the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39190/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to work allowance schemes are designed to assist the long-term unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and other social welfare recipients to return to work. One of the goals of the social welfare system is to be responsive to the needs of people of working age and to facilitate them taking up relevant employment opportunities. In order to respond effectively to the growing numbers on the live register and the continuing contraction in employment, it was decided in the Supplementary Budget of the 7th April 2009 to refocus resources on the back to work schemes to support people into self employment.

A revised Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) and a new Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) scheme were introduced from May 1st 2009. The back to work allowance (employee strand) scheme was closed to new applicants on May 1st 2009.

In addition the qualifying period required for Jobseekers on the live register to access to the BTWEA has reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided the person has an entitlement to Jobseeker's allowance. Those who do not have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's allowance can access the scheme, as before, subject to the two year qualifying period. The period for which the allowance is payable is 2 years, the first year at 100% of existing social welfare entitlement and 75% in the second year.

Furthermore, people who previously participated in the back to work enterprise allowance scheme may apply a second time after a period of at least 5 years has elapsed.

The STEA provides immediate access to people who have lost their jobs and qualify for jobseekers' benefit who wish to set up a business. Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as their entitlement to jobseeker's benefit.

These changes significantly strengthen the supports for jobseekers wishing to move to self employment. The qualifying conditions will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changing economic circumstances.

There were 9,551 participants in the back to work schemes at end September 2010. A total of 6,904 people were availing of the back to work enterprise scheme, 1,550 on the short-term enterprise scheme and 1,097 partaking in the back to work employee strand.

Social Insurance

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
442 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to make the necessary budgetary provision to meet in full the extra funding required arising from the current and or likely economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39191/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
443 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for social protection in the now emerging economic climate; if he has in mind any particular initiative to alleviate the most negative impact on families likely to be affected by the continued economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39192/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
452 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full extent of his Department's budgetary projections in respect of pensions over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 442, 443 and 452 together.

Social welfare expenditure for 2011, including expenditure on State pensions, will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget, having regard both to needs and to the resources available to meet those needs. In an uncertain economic environment, my priority will be to ensure that the Government strategy to stabilise the financial position is advanced and to protect those most in need in a manner which is sustainable in the years ahead.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
444 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for back to school clothing and footwear allowance received to date in 2010; the number approved and refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39193/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year and is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the end of September each year.

While the closing date for applications for BSCFA was 30th September 2010, processing and payment of late applications is ongoing. At 15 October 2010 approximately 190,000 claims had been received by the HSE and in excess of 160,400 claims had been paid at a value of €77.46m. Current indications are that approximately 5,000 more families will benefit from the scheme this year.

Final figures in relation to the numbers of applications received and awarded for 2010 are not yet available from the HSE but based on previous years the average number of claims granted was 88% of claims received.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
445 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons previously self-employed who have applied for jobseeker’s allowance to date in 2010; the number granted and refused; if he will consider easing the qualification criteria having particular regard to the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39194/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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At 15th October 2010, there were 8,406 jobseeker's allowance customers who made their claim after 1st January 2010 and who are categorised as having been self-employed prior to making their claim. Of those, 4,729 are awarded, 520 are currently disallowed and 3,157 are pending a decision.

Any changes to the qualifying criteria for jobseeker's allowance will be considered within a budgetary context.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
446 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer’s allowance received in each of the past three years and to date in 2010; the number granted, refused or on appeal ; if he intends to review or ease the qualification guidelines in view of the important service currently being provided by carers and the savings to the Exchequer in lieu of institutional care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39195/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Carer's Allowance claims received, awarded, refused, appealed 2007-2010

2007

2008

2009

2010 (30 Sept)

No. of claims received

18,097

18,928

16,574

13,894

No. of claims awarded

9,109

15,457

10,730

6,354

No. of claims refused

3,537

5,015

5,776

5,187

No. of appeals received

668

1,017

1,864

2,389

I have no plans to review or to change the qualifying conditions for carer's allowance. The Government will continue to support carers within the resources available.

Question No. 447 answered with Question No. 437.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
448 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for jobseeker’s allowance currently on appeal; his proposals, if any, to address the ongoing situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39198/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there are 6,842 Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit appeals on hand. A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,

A number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office,

The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,

A project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented, and

Significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.

In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.

I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

Departmental Staff

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
449 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has arranged for or sought the necessary staff redeployments from other Departments to his Department in line with the increased number of applications for various payments arising from the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39199/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
454 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to ensure the availability of the necessary staff to speed up the process of all social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39204/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 454 together.

Since May 2008, 766 staff have been assigned to my Department, mainly through the transfer and redeployment of staff from other Government Departments. The urgent need for resources was due to a number of factors including the significant increase in the Live Register, an increase in claims for other schemes operated by the Department, together with vacancies arising due to the Incentivised Career Break Scheme, the Incentivised Early Retirement Scheme and other normal retirements and vacancies.

The staff assigned have filled additional posts and critical vacancies in Local Offices, Central Support Units, Scheme areas and the Department's Inspectorate. Some of these posts were sourced through a staff levy imposed on other Government Departments in April 2009. Staffing needs are kept under constant review to ensure that best use is made of all available resources.

It is also recognised that the provision of additional staff in itself is not the only appropriate way to deal with the rising claim load. Since early 2008 all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims has been examined and streamlined wherever possible without, of course, compromising our scheme controls. In this context, the Department has introduced a range of process improvement initiatives regarding claims for Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit. One of the most significant initiatives, aimed at reducing queuing times and waiting times, involves the customer attending the office by appointment at which time the claim is taken and decided.

In addition, a range of other process improvements have been introduced which include:

A more streamlined procedure for claimants moving to jobseeker's allowance when their jobseekers benefit expires;

A streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous two years;

Application forms for the jobseeker schemes are now available on the Department's website. This means that anyone who wants to make a claim can print the form at home and bring it to the local office completed. This helps reduce queuing times;

More straightforward procedures for providing evidence of identity and address have been introduced;

The Department has also simplified processing methods for some customers who work casually, part-time or on systematic short-time work.

Question No. 450 withdrawn.

Question No. 451 answered with Question No. 437.

Question No. 452 answered with Question No. 442.

Social Insurance

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
453 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current value of the social welfare reserve fund; the extent to which this has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39203/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I understand from the Deputy that his question refers to reserves of the Social Insurance Fund. The Social Insurance Fund finances expenditure on insurance based welfare benefits. It held cash equivalent reserves of €890 million at the beginning of 2010. The amount by which income exceeded expenditure has fallen consistently since 2006 and the Fund has run an annual deficit since 2008, using accumulated reserves to supplement the funding required for benefit payments. These cash reserves were exhausted earlier this year. The shortfall between Fund income and expenditure is being met by way of subvention from the Department's Vote 38.

It is important to note that traditionally, social insurance spending has been funded on a tripartite basis — with contributions coming from the exchequer, employers and employees. The exchequer is the residual financier of the Fund and exchequer contributions were the norm for over forty years — for example, in 1967, the state contribution was 38% of Fund expenditure and almost 29% in 1985. However, no exchequer contribution was required between 1996 and 2009 as the Fund was in surplus on foot of contributions from employers and workers.

An actuarial review of the Social Insurance Fund, undertaken in 2005, which covered the period from 2006 to 2061, highlighted that progressive action is required if future costs, including pensions, are to be met. This will involve finding an appropriate balance between the three strands of the tripartite funding system.

The following table sets out the balance in the Social Insurance Fund over the past five years:

Year End

Social Insurance Fund Reserves

€

2009*

891,272,000

2008

3,376,969,000

2007

3,632,298,000

2006

3,049,141,000

2005

2,400,284,000

*2009 accounts are subject to audit by the Comptroller & Audit General Office.

Question No. 454 answered with Question No. 449.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
455 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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According to the records of the Department the person concerned has paid PRSI contributions since he entered insurable employment in this State in 2001. He should call to his local social welfare office for advice on the entitlements that are available to him.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
456 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 14 October 2010, if he will arrange for a new application to be considered rather than await an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39206/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The position remains as advised to the Deputy in question number 181 of 14 October 2010. The Health Service Executive (HSE) refused rent supplement in this case on the grounds that the rent payable to the landlord was in excess of the prescribed maximum limits with regard to the personal circumstances of the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make a new application for rent supplement he should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
457 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39207/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In the time frame available, I regret that my Department is not in a position to reply to this question. My Department will be in contact with the Deputy over the coming days and will reply in full to the question raised.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
458 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for illness benefit in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39212/10]

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
460 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for injury benefit in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39214/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 460 together.

The average processing times for illness benefit (IB) and occupational injury benefit (OIB) claims are as follows:

IB

OIB

2006

5 days

5 days

2007

6 days

5 days

2008

8 days

6 days

2009

7 days

6 days

2010*

8 days

6 days

*Up to week ending 15 October.

Claims from customers who have no other income (i.e. people who are not paid by their employer while out sick) are prioritised and, in general, processed within 3 days.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
459 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for disability allowance in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39213/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

No. of weeks

14

16

15

15

13

The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Operational processes and procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed in all areas of the Department, including disability allowance section, to ensure that claims are processed and decided in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply to each scheme.

Question No. 460 answered with Question No. 458.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
461 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for domiciliary care allowance in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39216/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Since the 1st April 2009 this Department has responsibility for the administration of the domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme. Prior to this date the scheme was the responsibility of the HSE. Statistics relating to the period prior to April 2009 are not held by this Department.

In 2009 the average time taken to process a DCA application in the Department was 7 weeks, the average processing to date in 2010 is under 8 weeks.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
462 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for family income supplement in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39218/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The average processing time for family income supplement in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and currently in 2010 are as follows:

Year

Average weeks to award

2010*

9 weeks

2009

8 weeks

2008

13 weeks

2007

12 weeks

2006

8 weeks

*Current figure for 2010.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
463 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39239/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.

The information requested in respect of these bodies is set out in the following table.

Name of Agency

No. of Board Members

The Pensions Board

17

Citizens Information Board

15

Social Welfare Tribunal

5

The Pensions Ombudsman does not have a board.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
464 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39254/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.

On 1 July 2009, the Combat Poverty Agency integrated with the Office for Social Inclusion within this Department to form the Social Inclusion Division. From 1 May 2010, responsibility for the Social Inclusion Division transferred to the Department of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs. Responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) transferred to the Citizens Information Board on 13 July 2009.

Responsibility for the Family Support Agency also transferred to the Department of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs on 1 May 2010 and the position regarding that agency's funding will be included in that Department's reply.

The following table contains the information sought in the Parliamentary Question.

Name of Statutory Body

Expenditure for each year

€

Social Welfare Tribunal

2006: Nil

2007: Nil

2008: 155.00

2009: 330.00

2010: 5,772.00 (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)

Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

2006: 0.79m

2007: 0.91m

2008: 0.96m

2009: 0.93m

2010: 0.65m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)

The Pensions Board¹

2006: 6.60m

2007: 6.63m²

2008: 6.76m

2009: 6.10m

2010: 3.50m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)

Combat Poverty Agency

2006: 4.31m

Combat Poverty Agency was dissolved as a separate entity with effect from 01 July 2009

2007: 4.0m 2008: 4.1m 2009: 1.2m

Comhairle Citizens Information Board (The Comhairle name was changed to Citizens Information Board in February 2007 under the Citizens Information Act 2007)

2006: 25.00m 2007: 29.9m 2008: 29.4m 2009: 28.0m³ 2010 34.03m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)

1 The operations of the Pensions Board are financed by annual fees payable to it by occupational pension schemes and by providers of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts.

2 Expenditure figures for the Pensions Board for each year include an allocation from the Department of Social Protection to it in respect of the National Pensions Awareness Campaign. The allocation was €1 million in respect of 2007 and 2008 and €500,000 for 2009 and 2010.

3 Responsibility for MABS transferred to the Citizens Information Board (CIB). Prior to its transfer expenditure for MABS amounted to €17.041m in 2009.

Social Welfare Benefits

Kieran O'Donnell
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Kieran O'Donnell
Question:
465 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection the guidelines he has issued in respect of the administration of the rent supplement scheme, including dealing with anti-social behaviour by tenants; his plans to reform the rent supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.

Social welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body for reasons that include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management.

In the case of private rented accommodation, tenancy arrangements involve a contract between the landlord and tenant and tenant behaviour is a matter for the landlord in the first instance. There are a number of avenues open to landlords in such cases, including the mediation service for landlords and tenants operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board and/or recourse to the Garda Síochána and/or the Courts in relation to the enforcement of the law in dealing with anti-social behaviour. If necessary, the landlord may seek termination of the tenancy which, if affected, would result in the termination of rent supplement.

Social Welfare Appeals

Martin Ferris
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Martin Ferris
Question:
466 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and when an appeal will be heard. [39400/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,

A number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office,

The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,

A project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented, and

Significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.

In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.

I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Mary Upton
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Mary Upton
Question:
467 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that an issue (details supplied) is resolved as soon as possible and ensure that participants on the programme are given their full entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39445/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I understand that the difficulties which have arisen in this case have arisen as a consequence of a change in practice introduced by FÁS in respect of persons in receipt of Disability Allowance who participate in part-time training courses funded by FÁS.

These difficulties have recently come to light in my Department and I have arranged that the position in respect of those concerned will be addressed without delay. In practice, and in line with the legislative provisions governing the Disability Allowance scheme, the training allowance (excluding any allowance paid specifically towards travel and other expenses associated with the training course) will be assessed as means and the Disability Allowance payment adjusted accordingly. This will ensure that the people concerned do not lose out in any way and will continue also to retain entitlement to the relevant secondary benefits.

More generally, the wider issues arising from the change in practice introduced by FÁS are the subject of ongoing discussions between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills.

Sports Capital Programme

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
468 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38470/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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A community association in Dublin 13 was allocated €12,000 under the Sports Capital Programme in 2006 for a new water tank and to upgrade showers for use by local clubs including the club in question. None of this allocation has been drawn down.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
469 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under her Department’s control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39241/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out hereunder:

State Board

Number sitting on Board

National Library of Ireland

12

Crawford Gallery

16

Irish Manuscripts Commission

20

National Archives Advisory Council

6

Tourism Ireland Ltd*

12

National Tourism Development Authority (Fáilte Ireland)

12

Irish Sports Council

11

National Sports Campus Development Authority

13

Irish Film Board

7

National Museum of Ireland

8

Irish Museum of Modern Art

9

National Concert Hall

15

National Gallery of Ireland

16

Arts Council

13

Culture Ireland

12

*Tourism Ireland is a North/South body operating under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
470 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the annual budget of each State agency under her Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39256/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The requested information (Revised Estimates provision) is as set out in tabular form below.

Agency

2006 €000

2007 €000

2008 €000

2009 €000

2010 €000

Arts Council

72,310

80,000

82,102

73,350

68,649

Chester Beatty Library

2,483

3,208

3,467

3,083

2,714

Crawford Art Gallery

1,190

2,080

1,991

1,753

1,579

Fáilte Ireland **

77,857

79,496

82,819

78,687

68,299

Irish Film Board

17,126

19,659

23,197

20,340

19,272

Irish Museum of Modern Art

6,480

7,442

8,260

7,332

6,671

Irish Sports Council

40,914

54,025

57,631

51,689

49,572

National Concert Hall

2,852

4,270

3,903

3,478

3,105

National Gallery of Ireland

9,439

11,765

12,610

10,934

10,163

National Library of Ireland

11,417

13,201

12,002

10,742

9,348

National Museum of Ireland

19,842

19,512

19,058

15,415

15,125

National Sports Campus Development Authority*

—

22,198

6,710

4,398

7,754

Tourism Ireland**

18,737

19,600

20,010

19,400

18,740

*The National Sports Campus Development Authority was established on 1 January 2007.

**Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland also received allocations under the Tourism Marketing Fund subhead of the Department's Vote for the years in question as set out in the Revised Estimates volumes.

Water Charges

John O'Donoghue
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John O'Donoghue
Question:
471 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the charge that would have to be applied in respect of water charges for the Exchequer to save at least €3 billion without cutting social welfare, reducing child benefit, or introducing a property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38474/10]

John O'Donoghue
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John O'Donoghue
Question:
474 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the length of time it will take and the cost of installing water meters at each customer's location here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38473/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 474 together.

The renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. Proposals are being developed by my Department on the approach to be taken to the installation of water meters in approximately 1.2 million households connected to public water supplies.

The metering programme is likely to take a number of years to be completed but every effort will be made to roll it out in as short a time period as possible. My aim is to ensure that, once meter installation commences next year, we will have a significant proportion of the programme completed in the first two to three years.

The overall cost will be dependent on the types of water meters and associated equipment chosen for use and the method of installation to be employed. I will be analysing the various options to ensure the delivery of the metering programme in the most cost effective manner. I will provide further details on these matters following their consideration and approval by Government.

Households charges for metered water supply will be based on volumetric usage so the bills incurred by a household will be directly related to their consumption levels. No decision has been taken yet on the charging structure or on the rate that householders will be charged so I am not in a position to provide an estimate of the potential revenue that might be generated.

Local Authority Staff

Mary Upton
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Mary Upton
Question:
472 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38515/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.

Planning Issues

Niall Collins
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Niall Collins
Question:
473 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedure for applying to a local authority to extend the duration of a planning permission; the timeframe for a decision to be given for such an application; if such a timeframe does not exist, why not; the appeals procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38451/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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The procedure for applying for an extension of duration of planning permission is set out in Article 42 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended by Article 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2010. An application must be made in writing, be accompanied by the appropriate fee as prescribed by Article 170 of the Regulations and contain the information set out in Article 42.

The previous provision in relation to a time-frame for deciding applications for extensions of permission (Section 42(2) of the 2000 Act) provided for a default decision to extend the duration of permission in a case where an application was not decided by the planning authority within 8 weeks. As this provision could have resulted in a situation where an applicant who did not comply with all the requirements of the section could get an extension due to the failure of the planning authority to decide the application in time, it was considered appropriate to amend it. The new provision, introduced in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 requires the planning authority to make its decision on an application for the extension of duration of planning permission as expeditiously as possible, and provides that it must be the objective of the planning authority to notify the applicant of its decision within the period of 8 weeks beginning on the date of application or submission of required further information, where relevant.

There is no appeal procedure for an application that has been granted or refused an extension of duration for permission. It is not considered that an appeal is required as the Act provides for an automatic extension in cases where the requirements of the legislation are complied with.

Question No. 474 answered with Question No. 471.

Environmental Policy

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
475 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the Magyar Aluminium Zrt. (MAL) red sludge spill in Hungary on 4 October 2010; if he has conducted a systematic review of the landfill and tailings ponds at a plant (details supplied) in County Limerick where the on-site landfill annually handles 1.5 million tonnes of similar red sludge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
476 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a company (details supplied) has set a fully costed environmental liabilities risk assessment with the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
477 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a company (details supplied) has made a financial provision with the Environmental Protection Agency to cover any liabilities arising out of its handling of red mud waste at its BRDA landfill on-site or any liabilities from possible mud spills from the landfill into the river Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38482/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 475, 476 and 477 together.

I am aware of the recent tragic events at the Magyar Alumimum Zrt. owned alumina plant in Ajka, Hungary. In Ireland, decisions on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licences are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPPC licences, including accident prevention and emergency response measures, environmental liability risk assessments and financial provisions, are also a matter for the EPA.

Under the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007 , I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.

Water Services

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
478 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Louth County Council had a water services capital balance of €18.3 million on 1 January 2010; that this council is prohibited from allowing the balance disimprove, that this council has had to raise a bank loan to pay local contributions to water projects in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38495/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to the overall management of their capital and current accounts in 2009 and 2010. These arise from the requirements for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the associated limitation on budget deficits.

I appreciate that these requirements, while not new, impose a particular degree of financial discipline on local authorities. Current economic and budgetary considerations require all sectors, including local authorities, to ensure effective control and management of public finances.

In relation to the water services capital programme, Louth County Council received approval on 21 October 2010 to drawdown borrowing of €1.521m in respect of a number of schemes.

My Department will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that, within the overall financial limits set, the necessary prioritisation is given to environmental, economic and social infrastructure as part of the overall contribution to economic recovery.

Proposed Legislation

Charles Flanagan
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Charles Flanagan
Question:
479 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Climate Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38501/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 445, 448, 459, 460, 461 and 463 of 12 October 2010 which sets out the current position on this matter.

Building Regulations

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
480 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend the 2007 Building Control Act; if the requirements for inclusion on the register of architects will be changed; if any relevant secondary legislation or statutory instrument is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38525/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act at this time.

The statutory process for the registration of the title of "architect", which was introduced by the Building Control Act, 2007, is a key element in ensuring appropriate standards of competence in the architectural profession and is also an important consumer protection safeguard.

Traveller Accommodation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
481 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to any plans to redevelop an area (details supplied) in Dublin 10 ; if he has received any correspondence in relation to the site from Dublin City Council in the past five years; the subject of that correspondence and the action taken on foot of same. [38546/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
482 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding situation in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 10, exacerbated by a spate of house burnings by some former resident of the estate; his views on the tenants who agreed several years ago that the estate should be redeveloped by Dublin City Council and if he is concerned at the delay in progressing that redevelopment. [38547/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment; Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 482 together.

In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the planning and implementation of proposals for the extension or refurbishment of Traveller accommodation is a matter for the relevant housing authority.

Initial proposals for the provision of 22 extra units of Traveller accommodation at Labre Park were submitted by Dublin City Council to my Department in 2004. Following protracted consultation between the Council and my Department, approval in principle to proceed with the scheme was issued in 2008, subject to receipt of clarification on a number of issues.

This proposal was included in Dublin City Council's Traveller Accommodation Programme for 2009-2013. The project was discussed at a meeting with my Department in November 2009 and updated proposals in relation to this scheme are awaited from the Council.

The Council also submitted outline proposals in relation to demolition works and repairs to the CCTV system at Labre Park. My Department indicated that these proposals would be favourably considered on receipt of full details of the work involved. This information is awaited at present.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
483 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the location of the Traveller accommodation housing schemes in each local authority area; if each local authority is complying with its responsibility under the law on the provision of Traveller accommodation; if not, the cause of the delay in each case and the action the Department has taken to ensure local authorities comply with the law. [38548/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment; Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The detailed information requested in relation to the location of Traveller accommodation housing schemes in each local authority area is not available in my Department. However, details of all Traveller-specific units of accommodation completed from 2002– 2008 are included in the annual reports of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC), copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes, to meet identified housing need, rests with individual housing authorities.

Traveller Accommodation Programmes covering the period 2009-2013 have been formally adopted by all relevant housing authorities. My responsibility in relation to Traveller accommodation is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial framework in place to assist the authorities in implementing the accommodation strategies set out in their Traveller Accommodation Programme.

Social and Affordable Housing

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
484 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if consideration has been given to altering the clawback clause in terms of persons who wish to sell properties which they purchased under the affordable housing schemes, but who can no longer afford the mortgage due to a change in their financial circumstances, but who cannot afford to sell the property due to the negative equity and cannot go on the local authority housing list as they would have made themselves homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38549/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment; Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Where a person is selling an affordable home and the clawback amount payable would reduce the proceeds of resale below the initial price actually paid, current legislation provides for the amount of the clawback payable to be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid that result. The clawback provisions do not therefore need to be amended to take account of any negative equity that may arise.

The Government has put in place a range of supports for home owners facing difficulty in meeting their mortgage repayments including a Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears which applies to all mortgage lenders; support from the Mortgage Interest Scheme under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance system; and the provision of advice on debt management through the Money Advice Budgeting Service (MABS).

In addition, the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt — which published its interim report in July — is expected to complete and submit its final report in the coming weeks setting out recommendations on further measures to assist such homeowners.

To ensure that the interface between chronic arrears and the necessary social housing supports can operate more effectively, my Department is developing new regulations and guidance in the context of the social housing reform programme. This will provide that housing authorities can disregard the household's current accommodation for the purposes of determining eligibility for social housing support.

Departmental Funding

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
485 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding he will provide for the redevelopment of an area (details supplied) where a planning application will soon be lodged to An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38552/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment; Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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My Department is committed to a multi-annual regeneration programme in Dublin City to help improve the lives and conditions of the communities involved. The programme is reviewed on a regular basis with Dublin City Council, including through the biannual Housing Action Plan meetings, with new projects added and additional elements of existing projects advanced, as resources permit. It is a matter for Dublin City Council, in the first instance, to prioritise and manage the advancement of projects within the programme, having regard to its available funding resources.

The multidisciplinary Special Housing Taskforce established by Dublin City Council, with the objective of developing and implementing alternative regeneration options for former Public Private Partnership projects, has prioritised three projects including the project in question. It is up to the City Council to decide on the type of regeneration proposal that is most appropriate for the area and the means by which the project should be delivered. The Taskforce has made good progress to date and it is understood that there are plans to submit a planning application for the project in question to An Bord Pleanála before the end of this year. My Department expects to receive detailed proposals from the City Council in the coming year in regard to the future development of the project.

Planning Issues

John McGuinness
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John McGuinness
Question:
486 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding an application from Kilkenny County Council for a serviced land initiative at Castlecomer, County Kilkenny; if he is in receipt of all of the documentation from Kilkenny County Council; the timeframe for a decision; if he will expedite the matter. [38574/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kilkenny. The Castlecomer Sewerage Scheme (SLI) is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.

Kilkenny County Council has recently submitted a proposal to my Department regarding the funding of this scheme. The submission is under examination and a reply will issue to the Council shortly.

EU Directives

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
487 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details as to the precise compensation measure in place for landowners where their lands are affected under the habitats directive or the birds directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/10]

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
488 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details as to all amounts paid in compensation to landowners or affected persons under the habitats directive or the birds directive since designation commenced. [38590/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.

Payments to landowners arising from the designation of land under the Habitats and Birds Directives have generally been made by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the provisions of successive Rural Development Programmes and in particular through the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme and the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme.

As an alternative to these schemes, for farmers in designated conservation areas, my Department operates the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme, which is designed to support particular farm practices in designated sites. To date, almost €8m has been paid to farmers under this scheme or to support individuals farming in areas requiring specific agri-environmental measures such as the Burren and uplands damaged by over-grazing in Mayo and Galway.

Where the Minister refuses consent to carry out an activity which is a Notifiable Activity under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, compensation may be payable under regulation 20. To date, €1.5m has been paid and this has been exclusively to compensate commercial turf-cutters who were compelled to discontinue their activities on sites designated under the Birds or Habitats Directives.

€17.5m has been paid to date under my Department's voluntary bog purchase scheme for the acquisition of freehold and turbary rights within designated raised bogs. This sum principally relates to acquisition costs but a small proportion relates to compensation for vendors agreeing to cease turf extraction earlier than permitted under the ten year derogation period.

My Department has also made payments of over €105,000 in 2010 to turbary right owners who have been compelled to discontinue turf-cutting to provide for their domestic fuel needs on certain raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. These payments were made under an interim compensation scheme that I announced earlier this year.

Planning Issues

Thomas Byrne
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Thomas Byrne
Question:
489 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the planning permission requirements for constructing a porch to the front of a house and if there are any exemptions for such development. [38635/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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Under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Schedule 2, Part 1, Class 7), the construction of a porch is an exempt development, subject to the following conditions and limitations: Any such structure shall be situated not less than 2 metres from any road; the floor area of any such structure shall not exceed 2 square metres, and; the height of any such structure shall not exceed, in the case of a structure with a tiled or slated pitched roof, 4 metres or, in any other case, 3 metres.

Housing Grants

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
490 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding the possibility of introducing a national grant scheme for rainwater harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38679/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Rainwater harvesting has environmental benefits through reducing the demand for and the consumption of treated water, thereby reducing pressures on our water resources. The introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary parameters and, insofar as the funds administered by my Department are concerned, there are no plans to introduce a grant scheme for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
491 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied). [38744/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The correspondence referred to in the Question was not received in my Department.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas. It is intended that the Act will commence in early 2011.

Section 16 of the Act provides that it will be unlawful for the operator of a dog breeding establishment to keep a dog that is over 12 weeks old which is not implanted with a microchip. The time limit for micro chipping will reduce to 8 weeks after the first year of operation of the Act. It is expected that this provision will assist Local Authorities in identifying dogs as part of their control functions. My Department has no function with regard to the control of cats.

Heritage Sites

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
492 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider the plans known as HQ16, supported by the families of the executed, as a fitting and appropriate memorial to the historic significance of the Rising and his views on the suggestion that many buildings associated with the Rising have been lost. [38753/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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In January 2007, my predecessor as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a Preservation Order on nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts. The Preservation Order was made on the grounds that the buildings are a monument, the preservation of which is of national importance by reason of its historical importance as the final headquarters of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

My role as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is to protect the monument, under that Order, from any danger of being destroyed, injured or removed. In that regard any works affecting the monument require my prior consent under the National Monuments Acts.

I am aware that An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for development on the site that includes the Moore St monument. This permission does not supersede the Preservation Order already in place and my consent will still be required for any development works that may affect the buildings covered by the Preservation Order. I fully appreciate the historical significance of these buildings as the site of the last military actions of the 1916 Rising leaders and the appropriateness of any proposed works will be carefully examined against that historical background if a development related consent application is submitted.

I have not seen the plans referred to in the question and I have no function in relation to the promotion of specific developments for sites in private ownership.

Environmental Protection

Michael McGrath
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Michael McGrath
Question:
493 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the necessary environmental clean-up at the former steel plant site on Haulbowline Island, County Cork. [39014/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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From 2004 to 2009 my Department had an interim role in the management of this legacy site in a manner which is consistent with good practice and minimisation of risk to human health and the environment. Accordingly, my Department arranged for the decontamination and demolition of the buildings on site and, post-demolition, arranged for the procurement of a contractor for site surface clearance, back filling of voids and the disposal of the remaining surface wastes to be undertaken.

In June 2009, the Government decided that the Office of Public Works would chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management of the former Irish Ispat site, and to advise on the site's most beneficial future use. The future use of the site will in itself influence the levels and extent of further works and/or remediation required.

Animal Welfare

Joe Behan
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Joe Behan
Question:
494 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to introduce a national register and licensing system for exotic pets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39017/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relate to the conservation of populations of certain protected species. Animal welfare and the protection of animals from cruelty, including pets, are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Social and Affordable Housing

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
495 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a facility for purchasers under existing affordable housing or shared ownership arrangements who wish to re-mortgage or top up their mortgage without triggering the clawback clause; and if so, if he could provide a timeframe for same. [39028/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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While provision has been made in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 to allow purchasers under the new Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements to re-mortgage or top-up their mortgage without triggering the clawback, the Act does not provide this facility for purchasers under existing affordable housing or shared ownership arrangements. I have requested my Department to arrange to have the provisions necessary to address this matter included in the first appropriate legislative vehicle that becomes available.

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
496 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent by Government on social, affordable and voluntary housing schemes in each of the years 2007, 2008, and 2009; the number of social and affordable houses completed in each of those years; if he expects to reach the national development plan target of 100,000 new social and affordable houses by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39054/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Since 2000, very significant levels of investment have been made available under the Social Housing Investment Programme with over €11.5 billion provided for the construction or acquisition of units by local authorities and approved housing bodies. Details on the amount spent under the various social housing programmes and the outputs achieved are set out in tables 1 and 2.

Meeting housing need remains a high priority for the Government. While ensuring that we can deliver across the full range of needs, the scale and composition of the public housing programme in the years ahead will be dependent on a number of factors, including the level of available funding and the evolution of the housing market generally, for example, to take account of the fall-off in demand for affordable housing. I am determined to ensure that the overall delivery programme is framed in a manner which continues to optimise the way in which needs are met. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the available Exchequer supports to prevailing market conditions, and explore alternative solutions to address needs, having full regard to the sustainable communities philosophy outlined in the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities .

To this end, the range of delivery mechanisms continues to be adapted and expanded. For example, last year, I introduced a new Social Housing Leasing Initiative, under which in excess of 2,000 units have now been sourced and through which I expect a substantial number of units to be provided in the years ahead to meet housing needs, estimated at just over 56,000 households in the 2008 Housing Needs Assessment. This, together with the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), complements the traditional capital funded programmes operated through local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. The combined budget provision for leasing and RAS for 2010 is €150 million and I anticipate that, taken together, the two schemes will deliver half of the projected social housing output this year.

I will be keeping the leasing initiative and all the other housing programmes under ongoing review to ensure that they are appropriately geared towards meeting the maximum level of housing need.

Table 1

2007

2008

2009

€

€

€

B.1 Capital

B.1.1 LA Housing

941,273,000

979,728,785

690,536,343

B.1.2 CAS

113,766,000

156,290,000

158,512,741

B.1.3 Traveller Accom.

35,000,000

35,000,000

19,601,979

B.2 Capital

B.2.1 Regeneration

315,398,000

217,384,195

200,877,032

B.2.2 Retrofitting

0

0

0

B.3 Capital

B.3.2 Site Subsidies

35,217,000

38,492,685

6,938,473

B.1 Current

B.1.1 LA Housing/Leasing

0

0

642,178

B.1.3 Traveller Accom.

7,173,000

7,173,000

7,173,000

B.1.6 Homeless

52,987,000

53,234,999

56,056,856

B.1.7 CLSS

37,783,000

61,993,143

69,896,277

B.1.11 RAS

27,385,000

53,025,430

83,394,513

B.3 Current

B.3.4 Affordable Housing/Shared Ownership

5,291,000

4,199,047

3,823,623

Table 2 — Number of units provided

Year

Local Authority

Voluntary

Affordable

Total

2007

6,988

1,685

3,539

12,212

2008

5,692

1,896

4,567

12,155

2009 (to end quarter 3)

2,963

1,330

1,360

5,653

Total

15,643

4,911

9,466

30,020

Urban Renewal Schemes

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
497 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will appoint the new board for Limerick Regeneration amalgamating the two bodies; if secondary legislation is necessary; if there will be community representatives on the board; if so, the way they will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39098/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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I have indicated to Government my intention to amalgamate the Limerick Northside and Limerick Southside Regeneration Agencies into a single Agency with a smaller reconstituted board of directors. This will be placed on a legislative basis under the Local Government (Corporate Bodies) (Amendment) Bill 2010.

I am particularly concerned to ensure that this new Board will include local political representation and that the board will comprise an appropriate mix of skills and expertise to be in a position to provide oversight, strategic direction and accountability for the Agency's work programme.

Rental Accommodation Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
498 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines and-or limits given to local authorities on the upper limits paid to landlords under the rental accommodation scheme; if these limits are monitored and reviewed regularly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39107/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The amount of rent paid to private landlords through the Rental Accommodation Scheme is a matter for individual local authorities, having regard to the need to obtain value for money. Guidance from my Department in relation to this matter emphasises the need for authorities to obtain competitive prices for property, having regard to the level of risk transferred to the authority (i.e. risk of vacancies, tenant arrears etc). In most circumstances authorities obtain discounts on the prevailing market rates. As a general guide, the Department have advised that the agreed rent should be circa one to one and a half months less than the market rent over a given twelve-month period dependent on the contract type entered into. This equates to an annualised saving of between 8% and 12% on the market rent.

The Department monitor and audit value for money at recoupment stage and authorities are required to advise the Department on the level of discount that has been obtained for each unit. In addition to this, my Department is currently carrying out a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme which is due for completion in 2011. A specific aim of the review is to evaluate the operation of RAS in the light of the objectives set for it, including the financial arrangements under which the scheme operates.

Natural Heritage Areas

Tom Sheahan
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Tom Sheahan
Question:
499 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [39132/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The lakes referred to in the Question are within the candidate Special Area of Conservation known as Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks & Caragh River Catchment. This site was proposed for designation as an SAC in March, 1997, pursuant to provisions of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, which transpose the Habitats Directive into Irish law.

Affected landowners were notified directly and the proposal was advertised in the local media at that time. The site was included on a list transmitted to the European Commission on 28 July, 2000 and adopted by Commission decision of 7 December 2004, pursuant to the Habitats Directive.

Details of the site, including a map and site synopsis are available on my Department's web site at www.npws.ie. The text of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, is available on www.irishstatutebook.ie

Animal Welfare

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
500 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to review the Control of Dogs Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39142/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas. It is intended that the Act will commence in early 2011.

The Act gives statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. The Act defines a dog breeding establishment as a premises with not less than 6 bitches of 6 months capable of breeding and provides, inter alia, that all dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, pay a registration fee and meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other requirements. There are no plans to review the Control of Dogs Act at this time.

Motor Taxation

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
501 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to reform the motor tax system to allow any motor tax office to issue a disk on behalf of an adjoining local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39154/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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At present a local authority may only issue a licence for a vehicle which is in its own county area. The possibility of permitting a licensing authority to issue a licence without such restriction is one of the issues being examined in the context of the development of proposals for a revision and consolidation of motor tax law under way in my Department at present. In this regard, I hope to bring Heads of a Bill to Government in the near future.

Local Authority Housing

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
502 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority tenants who have fallen into rent arrears by local authority in tabular form in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39223/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The management of differential rent schemes and individual rent accounts is the responsibility of local authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002.

My Department does not collect information on the number of local authority tenants that fall into rent arrears each year.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
503 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39235/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The information requested in respect of the number of board members currently sitting on the boards of the State agencies and bodies under my Department's aegis is set out in a table:

Name of Board

No of Board Members*

Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board**

5

An Bord Pleanála

8

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

7

Comhar

26

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)***

5

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

13

Irish Water Safety

13

Fire Services Council

0

Heritage Council

17

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

10

PRTB

10

Rent Tribunal

7

Housing Finance Agency

11

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

17

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

17

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

12

Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB)

24

National Building Agency Ltd. (NBA)

12

Affordable Homes Partnership

11

Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB)

10

Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB)

10

*These figures include the Chairperson.

**There are two Co-Chairpersons available to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board.

***The Chairperson of the EPA Committee is the Director General of the EPA.

The functions of the Fire Services Council are being undertaken by my Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009. It is not intended to reappoint a Council.

The administrative functions of the Rent Tribunal were transferred to the PRTB with effect from 1 October 2009.

The Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies are already serviced by a single executive. It is proposed formally to merge both agencies, thereby achieving greater efficiencies.

It is intended that the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, a single streamlined housing agency, will take on a range of housing functions currently performed by the Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP), the Centre for Housing Research (CHR) and the National Building Agency (NBA), as well as new functions reflecting current housing policy (for example, in the area of social leasing). As a result, the AHP, the CHR and the NBA will be wound up. This agency has already been established on an administrative basis, and it is expected that it will be placed on a statutory footing next year.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
504 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39249/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Provisions made in my Department's Vote, as set out in the annual Revised Estimates for Public Services volumes for the years concerned, in respect of bodies in receipt of funds through the Vote are set out in the following table.

Body

2006 Outturn €,000

2007 Outturn €,000

2008 Outturn €,000

2009 Outturn €,000

2010 Allocation €,000

Rent Tribunal

145

20

42

28

—

Private Residential Tenancies Board

2,974

5,740

3,812

1,000

—

Environmental Protection Agency

18,275

27,661

35,443

34,308

27,015

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

4,662

3,971

4,676

4,245

3,685

An Bord Pleanála

13,609

15,990

15,098

15,331

13,029

Irish Water Safety Association

582

639

652

556

539

Heritage Council

9,388

13,536

13,403

10,142

8,482

Affordable Homes Partnership

2,164

2,436

3,465

3,210

2,127

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

—

565

2,480

2,803

2,803

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

—

565

2,480

2,803

2,802

Centre for Housing Research

30

457

606

435

—

Building Regulations Advisory Body

21

8

74

11

20

Fire Services Council

379

634

653

170

1

Irish Heritage Trust

—

5,500

520

484

436

National Traveller Consultative Committee

7

14

28

27

28

Local Drugs Task Force

461

481

496

461

461

Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board

90

157

175

43

200

National Rural Water Services Consultative Committee

134

212

171

99

2

Further financial and other information in respect of State agencies referred to above (including in relation to own resources income), and relating to agencies which are not in receipt of funds through my Department's Vote, is available in the Annual Reports and Accounts of the agencies concerned.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
505 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, approval was conveyed on 24 October 2006 for borrowing by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority up to the statutory limit of €127 million under section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 in response to a request from the chief executive officer of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for permission to put a borrowing facility in place, without specifying the amount of borrowings proposed. [39397/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Under Section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, as amended, the Authority may, with the sanction of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the consent of the Minister for Finance, borrow up to £100m (€127m) for the purpose of providing for current or capital purposes.

In October 2006, the Authority sought sanction for borrowings of up to €127 million for the purposes of property acquisition, and particularly in connection with the impending acquisition of the Irish Glass Bottle site for mixed residential and commercial development in furtherance of the objectives for the area set out in the Master Plan for the docklands.

Consent to this sanction request was sought by my Department from the Department of Finance and was subsequently received on the explicit basis that repayments would be wholly from the Authority's own resources and without recourse to the Exchequer. The Department wrote to the Authority on 24 October 2006, confirming this sanction.

Consent was also granted, in accordance with Section 6 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, to the Authority taking a shareholding in a special purpose company to facilitate the joint venture development of the IGB site.

As a commercial State body, it is in the first instance the responsibility of the Authority to manage its financial affairs within the relevant statutory parameters. Given its mandate to make independent commercial decisions, the purchase of individual properties and the extent to which the Authority would borrow for such purposes were matters for the Authority itself, subject to its overall borrowing limit not being exceeded.

Local Authority Lands

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
506 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the current status of three tranches of land in north Dublin (details supplied); if these lands are to be used for social and affordable housing; the cost of each of the three tranches of land and the way the land purchases were and are being financed; to confirm if a plan is currently being considered for Dublin City Council to dispose of these three sites for a nominal amount of €1 and to then apply to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for funding to pay off the full capital and loan costs associated with each land purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39404/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 458 of 12 October 2010.

According to information provided by Dublin City Council as part of the land audit carried out in April 2010, these lands were purchased by way of loans advanced by the Housing Finance Agency for social and affordable housing purposes. The management of these lands is a matter for the local authority concerned. My Department has not received an application from Dublin City Council, seeking inclusion of these lands in the Land Aggregation Scheme.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
507 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to outline his plans for upgrading of the water supply to Gort town and the regional groups; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39421/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water and sewerage services infrastructure in County Galway. The programme included provision for the upgrade of the treatment plant in Gort and water conservations works which will also benefit the area.

Work is ongoing on these contracts which will to improve the water supply to Gort. Galway County Council has confirmed that work on the Gort Water Supply Scheme to upgrade the existing water treatment plant to tackle water quality issues with the existing supply is nearing completion.

In addition, advance works on the Regional Scheme for mains replacement in the town under the Council's water conservation programme are also in progress. Further information on progress with those contracts may be had from the Council.

While provision is made to commence contracts to the value of some €130 million in county Galway during the period of the Programme, apart from the foregoing contracts, it was not possible to include the wider proposals for the Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme amongst the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion. The new Programme prioritises projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth as envisaged in the Government's policy document Building Ireland's Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Revival. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Galway County Council, in response to my Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that are more strategically important at this time.

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
508 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason that the provision of a water supply to an area (details supplied) was separated last year from upgrade head works at Loughrea water works as it was planned; the reason it was included in original costings for the complete project; if he will indicate when this scheme will be allowed to start work to bring water supplies to the group water members as intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39422/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The new Programme prioritises projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth as envisaged in the Government's policy document Building Ireland's Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Revival. The Council's proposal for upgrading the Loughrea water treatment plant is considered to reflect Programme priorities as the supply is on the EPA's Remedial Action List and was included in the programme. However, the proposed extension to the network, envisaged as part of the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme, was not included in the Programme as it relates solely to expansion of the existing supply. This envisaged expansion would include the provision of the trunk main to serve Kilreekil.

Galway County Council submitted a revised Preliminary Report for the overall Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme to the Department in February 2010. As part of my Department's ongoing assessment of this Report, my Department is also examining Galway County Council's most recent cost estimates submitted in August 2010 for its proposals to provide a water supply from Loughrea to Kilreekil.

A decision on the Report, including the cost estimates, will be conveyed to the Council shortly. However, it should be noted that, although upgrading the treatment plant is a prerequisite to providing a water supply to Kilreekil village, the Council's proposals to connect Kilreekil to the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme are not part of this project at this time. I have included a review process as one of a number of new measures in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, under which the Programme will be reviewed and updated annually to allow for any re-prioritisation required. The format and timing of the review process has still to be decided by my Department. Although Galway County Council has requested my Department to consider the inclusion of the trunk main to KIlreekil element of the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme in the Programme, the Council will need to re-assess its Kilreekil proposals in light of my Department's assessment of its revised Preliminary Report for the entire Scheme, due to issue shortly.

Insofar as the Kilreekil Group Water Scheme is concerned, responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The advancement of individual group schemes under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is, therefore, a matter for the relevant local authority i.e. Galway County Council in this case.

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
509 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding raw sewage that is entering Kinavara Bay and lowering the quality of water, violating the European waters directive, damaging the bay and tourism in the area and the public health of those using the bay for recreation; when works on alleviation scheme will begin [39423/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.

My Department is currently examining Galway County Council's design review report for the scheme and a decision on the report will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible. Once approved, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

Departmental Funding

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
510 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding and assistance his Department provided to a development (details supplied); the details of all meetings and correspondence by his Department on this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38496/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that grant aid of €400,000 was paid to Carlinn Hall in 2008 through the House of Tomorrow Scheme, in addition to €16,000 for a Feasibility Study earlier that year. No officials from my Department met or engaged with representatives of the development in question.

The House of Tomorrow Programme closed to new applications in June 2007. The objective of the Programme was to realise higher energy efficiency standards in new housing, and underpin the move to a 40% mandatory standard, thus reducing energy usage and lowering CO2 emissions.

Over the period 2001-2007, participation in the programme required a performance improvement of 20% and subsequently 40% relative to the Building Regulations 2005 baseline. The making of the Building Regulations 2008 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, made mandatory the 40% improvement standards supported by the Programme for its duration.

Telecommunications Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
511 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made any applications to the European Regional Development Fund for broadband projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38500/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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My Department is the Intermediate Body for the Interventions in Communications Infrastructure under the Southern and Eastern (S&E) and the Border Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly Operational Programmes 2007-2013.

Under the Regional Operational Programmes 2007-2013, the priorities and investment areas in Communications Infrastructure being supported by European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) includes a provision for Broadband Infrastructure and Demand Stimulation. The main thrust of this measure with support from public funds is to overcome identified gaps in broadband infrastructure and services. This is being achieved through:

The National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which aims to provide broadband services in unserved areas. NBS services are now available in all of the Electoral Districts within the NBS coverage area.

Completion of the Metropolitan Area Networks(MANS) Programme — The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are State owned, underground telecommunications networks that are located in regional cities and towns. The MANs are available to service providers to enable them to offer high-speed broadband to their retail customers without having to build their own networks. Most of the MANs were built under the 2000-2006 Operational Programmes.

A pilot scheme to provide 100Mbps broadband access and associated services to 78 post-primary schools.

The total ERDF funding for the Communications Allocation under the Operational Programmes for each Body is €46 million.

My Department is also a joint partner with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Project Kelvin, a telecoms project under the INTERREG IVA Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland, 2007-2013, which is also ERDF funded. The Kelvin Project will provide direct international telecoms connectivity from the North West and Border Region to North America and Europe. The total budget for the Kelvin Project is €30 million, of which 75% is refundable from ERDF funds.

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
512 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget allocated for delivering broadband to schools in 2010; the amount it will cost to upgrade the 78 schools with 100 MB; the amount it will cost to deliver this level of connection to 300 schools in 2011 and 300 in 2012; the specific investment made in primary school broadband connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38506/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The budget allocation for the 100mbps Pilot Project for 2010 was €4.9m (including capital carryover). The total cost of this project to date is €6.008m (VAT inclusive). This figure includes the installation of the broadband connectivity, the development of HEAnet's core and aggregate networks to receive the connections and investment in ICT hardware in each school to enable them to make best use of the new enhanced bandwidth.

All 78 schools now have their enhanced bandwidth and have successfully migrated onto the HEAnet's network.

The total cost of delivering the bandwidth to 300 schools both in 2011 and 2012 is dependent on the outcome of the procurement process that will have to take place prior to a national roll-out.

The responsibility for delivering broadband to primary schools rests with the Department of Education and Skills under the Broadband for Schools programme.

Broadcasting Services

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
513 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding community television systems when digital television becomes operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38610/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the licensing of UHF Television Programme Retransmission services, as set out in the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926.

These community or ‘deflector' television systems retransmit the analogue signals of the UK and, in some cases, Irish ‘free-to-air' services and their future position in light of plans to switch-off analogue television broadcast transmissions by end-2012 is a matter for ComReg.

ComReg is an independent statutory body and as such I have no role in its day-to-day operations.

Inland Fisheries

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
514 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a representative of the commercial salmon fishing industry has not been appointed to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39047/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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The Deputy will be aware that I appointed six members to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland on its establishment. On 21 October I received the nominations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in accordance with the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No 10 of 2010), for a further three places on the board. I have yet to make a decision concerning these nominations. I am confident the members appointed to the board will have the necessary expertise and competencies to lead Inland Fisheries Ireland to fully deliver on its potential.

Telecommunications Services

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
515 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 801 of 9 July 2009, the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39155/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The position remains that any future Exchequer funded broadband investment decisions, including investment in further phases of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, will be guided by: (i) the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband which was published in June 2009; (ii) the Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the MANs Programme, which was published in 2008; (iii) any other analysis as appropriate; and (iv) the availability of resources.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
516 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39230/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I can inform the Deputy that the number of agencies under the aegis of my Department is 18. The number of current sitting board members for each agency is set out on a table:

Agency

Number of Sitting Board Members on 27th October 2010

RTÉ

12

TG4

12

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

9

An Post

14

Bord Gáis Éireann

8

Bord na Móna

12

EirGrid

10

ESB

11

Ordnance Survey Ireland

10

Commission for Communications Regulation

No. Board — 3 Commissioners

Commission for Energy Regulation

No. Board — 3 Commissioners

Inland Fisheries Ireland

6

Digital Hub Development Agency

6

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

11

National Oil Reserves Agency

6

Irish National Petroleum Corporation

5

Mining Board

2

Loughs Agency

12

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
517 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39244/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I can inform the Deputy that the numbers of State Boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under the remit of my Department is 18.

The following seven are commercial bodies and information in relation to the annual budget is a matter for the board of these bodies:

RTÉ

TG4

An Post

Bord Gáis Éireann

Bord na Mona

EirGrid

Electricity Supply Board

However, information in respect of the annual budgets for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is available in the Annual Reports of each body. These reports are available in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

There are eleven non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department, including three regulatory bodies, as follows:

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Commission for Communications Regulation

Digital Hub Development Agency

Commission for Energy Regulation

Irish National Petroleum Corporation

National Oil Reserves Agency

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Loughs Agency

Ordnance Survey Ireland

The Mining Board.

Information in respect of the Commission for Communications Regulation, Digital Hub Development Agency, Commission for Energy Regulation, National Oil Reserves Agency, Irish National Petroleum Corporation, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Loughs Agency and Ordnance Survey Ireland is available in the Annual Reports of each body. These reports are available in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. With regard to the annual budget for 2010 for these bodies, I will request that the agencies reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established under the Broadcasting Act 2009 and replaced the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will be fully funded by an industry levy as set out in the Broadcasting Act. The budget for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is published on the agency's website, www.bai.ie.

The new inland fisheries authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland, was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. The merger of the seven regional and Central Fisheries Boards took place with effect from 1 July 2010. Details of the Budget in respect of Inland Fisheries Ireland are published in the Agency Statement for Vote 30 in the Revised Estimates Volume.

The Mining Board is an appeals body to adjudicate on decisions of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources concerning the grant/denial, of a mining licence. The Body does not have an annual budget.

Alternative Energy Projects

Bobby Aylward
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Bobby Aylward
Question:
518 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate the current status of the REFIT policy; the expected timeline for implementation; if he will provide details on what the proposed REFIT tariff of 9.5 cent per kilowatt hour is to cover; if he will give an update of the current status of this policy at National and European level [39411/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for electricity generated from biomass, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed.

A tariff of 9.5 cent per kw/h has been set for electricity generated from energy crops including willow and miscanthus. A tariff of 8.5 cent will apply to electricity from other types of biomass including support for electricity generated from biomass co-fired with peat in the peat-fired power stations. Higher tariffs will apply to Combined Heat and Power plants which generate heat as well as electricity from biomass. National objectives for supporting the biomass contribution to renewable electricity and heat targets are set out in Ireland's National Renewable Action Plan (NREAP), which was submitted to Brussels last July.

State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the new feed in tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid submission with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and this will be forwarded to the Commission very shortly.

Grant Payments

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
519 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the single farm payment for 2009 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38531/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named was fully paid in respect of both his applications under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme (70% advance payment issued on 19 October 2009 and the 30% balancing payment issued on 1 December 2009) and the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (100% payments issued on 21 September 2009). However, subsequent to these payments, the person named was advised, by letters dated 27 April 2010 and 20 May 2010, of the outcome of a ground inspection of his holding under the 2009 Schemes and indicating the financial penalty involved. The sum in question has since been fully recouped, having been offset against the payments due under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Single Payment Scheme. The balancing payment under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued in full on 20 October, while the full balancing due under the Single Payment Scheme is scheduled to issue when the balancing payments begin issuing, as and from 1 December.

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
520 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will expedite a disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38555/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. My Department identified an over-claim error on a number of land parcels declared by the applicant. A response has now been received from the herd owner in relation to these over-claims. Further re-digitisation is now required to ensure compliance with the relevant EU Regulations; immediately this process is complete, provided no further errors are identified, payment due will issue to the person named.

Tom Sheahan
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Tom Sheahan
Question:
521 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not yet received payment for a farm shed [38571/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The first two instalments of grant-aid have been paid by my Department to the applicant and the final instalment will be paid in January 2011.

Grant Payments

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
522 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) is experiencing a delay in the processing of their application for single payment [38601/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2010. Payments under the Single Payment Scheme commenced on 18 October, with an advance payment of 50% issuing in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application required digitisation, immediately this process is complete and provided no further errors are identified, the payment due in respect of the Single Payment Scheme will issue to the person named.

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
523 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) is experiencing a delay in the processing of their application for single payment [38602/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2010. The application has been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.

Noel Grealish
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Noel Grealish
Question:
524 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the financial assistance schemes available to farmers in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the amount allocated to these schemes by the Exchequer and from the EU; the amount paid out under these schemes by the Exchequer and through the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38613/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Due to the volume of the information requested by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide it in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Noel Grealish
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Noel Grealish
Question:
525 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is considering re-opening the agricultural environment options scheme for all farmers leaving REP scheme three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38614/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Further participation in the new Agri-environment Options Scheme will be determined by the level of funding available to my Department. All EU funding for the scheme up to the end of 2013 is now fully committed. Any further support in that period will have to be funded entirely by the Exchequer and this is a matter that will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.

Departmental Contracts

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
526 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm the names and details of the contractors engaged by the single farm payment section of his Department for the purposes of providing mailing services; the number of years that these contractors have been engaged by his Department; the amount of money paid by his Department to these contractors in each case; the facilities in terms of accommodation and equipment provided to these contractors; if these contractors have been engaged by his Department in each year on foot of the standard competitive tendering process; if he is satisfied that there is no conflict of interest between these contractors and any member of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38661/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The names and details of contractors engaged by the Single Payment Unit of my Department for the purposes of providing printing and as consequence mailing services/associated costs inclusive of VAT are as follows:

Printing and mailing of 2010 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes application forms (containing all of the pre-printed information on each applicant, including full details of all land parcels declared in 2009) and associated documents completed by TICo, Unit 8, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan Industrial Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin at a cost of €87,166.32.

Printing of letters and packaging of colour maps of land parcels for mailing by TICo Unit 8, Maple Avenue, Stillorgan Industrial Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin at a cost of €30,821.25.

Printing and mailing of letters and maps by Hi-Tech Print Services Ltd t/a AZAP Print, Castle Street, Carlow at a cost of €1,317.69.

Printing and mailing of letters and maps by Hi-Tech Print Services Ltd t/a AZAP Print, Castle Street, Carlow at a cost of €44,773.63

All of these contactors have been engaged by my Department in 2010 for the first time. My Department has not provided any accommodation or equipment to these contractors.

I am satisfied that my Department followed the proper procedures and guidelines under both National and EU law in relation to the procurement of the printing and mailing services provided by the named contractors and I am also satisfied that there is no conflict of interest between the named contractors named and any member of staff within my Department .

Grant Payments

Bobby Aylward
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Bobby Aylward
Question:
527 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [38711/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 2 May 2010; four of the land parcels declared required to be re-digitised. The person named also submitted a Consolidation of Entitlements application.

The applications have been processed and an advance payment will issue shortly, based on the clear area, i.e. less the four parcels in question. A further advance payment in respect of these parcels will issue shortly thereafter, following completion of re-digitising, providing no issues are identified.

The balancing payments under the Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December 2010.

Animal Welfare

Trevor Sargent
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Trevor Sargent
Question:
528 Deputy Trevor Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding progress in having the estimated 1 million feral cats neutered here in a similar way as in Belgium which also has a licence law for cats; his plans in regard to this growing problem [38991/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department's legislative responsibility in the area of animal welfare extends to farmed animals only, including animals normally bred or kept for the production of food. Accordingly, matters relating to feral cats do not come within the scope of my Department. Nevertheless, my Department provides in excess of €1 million annually to animal welfare organisations involved in the provision of animal care. In awarding the funding, we remind organisations involved in the rehoming of cats of the absolute necessity to ensure that all such animals are neutered before rehoming as this will assist in controlling numbers. With regard to animal welfare generally, work on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill which deals comprehensively with animal welfare is continuing in my Department and I propose to submit the Heads of the Bill to the Government shortly.

Grant Payments

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
529 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will quantify the extent of the problem faced by his Department regarding digitising of area aid forms in respect of single payment applications; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of disadvantaged area and single payments being delayed by virtue of this process on a county by county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39036/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department has received over 123,000 applications for the Single Payment Scheme and 102,000 for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. It is expected that when processing is completed over 70,000 of these will require digitising to be carried out on some or all of the land parcels the applicant has submitted, compared to an average of 22,000 in previous years. As a result, my Department has facilitated payment to cases on all digitised land, provided that there are no other errors. To date, over 110,000 applicants have received a Single Farm Payment, as well as 88,000 applicants under the Disadvantaged Area Payments Scheme.

A total of 92,652 applicants have received their full 50% advance under the Single Payment Scheme, while a further 17,337 have received a partial payment. Of the remaining unpaid applicants, 773 have received no payment as yet due to un-digitised land, and these are prioritised by my Department.

Similarly, in the Disadvantaged Area Scheme 58,751 farmers have received full payment, with a further 29,302 farmers receiving a part-payment. Some 2,610 applications remain where all of the land declared requires re-digitising. Payment will be made to these applicants when re-digitising is completed and all errors are cleared provided they meet the minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare. In the past many of these cases were not eligible for payment, as they did not meet the stocking density requirement.

I have arranged for my Department to forward to you directly a county-by-county breakdown of these figures.

Beverley Flynn
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Beverley Flynn
Question:
530 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had their single payment and disadvantaged area scheme payments based on an area of 3.40 hectares when the total declared area on the application forms for both schemes in 13.8 hectares [39041/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with an advance payment of 75% issuing in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the payment due will issue to the person named.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
531 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment of grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the position regarding the digitising of their land maps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39042/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 30 April 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (farmyard and buildings) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
532 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in grant payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the position regarding the digitising of maps on their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39043/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (in one instance, a farmyard) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Wildlife Protection

John Cregan
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John Cregan
Question:
533 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an applicant may revert to claim forestry premium on eight acres of land which was due to be planted but was not subsequently planted due to restrictions placed on this land due to the presence of the hen harrier [39077/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Applications for afforestation grant aid in Hen Harrier areas are not currently being processed pending completion of discussions between my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the effects of afforestation and windfarms on the habitat of the Hen Harrier.

Scéim Torthaí

Trevor Sargent
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Trevor Sargent
Question:
534 D’fhiafraigh An Teachta Trevor Sargent den Aire Talmhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta in Éirinn maidir leis an scéim €90 milliún ón Aontas Eorpach lena spreagtar leanaí scoile chun bia úr, go mór mór glasraí agus torthaí, a ithe de bharr go bhfuil timpeall 22 milliún leanbh san AE ró-throm de réir tuairiscí. [39083/10]

An tAire Talmhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Cuireadh tús le Scéim Torthaí sna Scoileanna an AE i Meán Fómhair 2009. Reáchtáiltear an scéim i gcomhar leis an Scéim ‘Food Dude' in Éirinn. Tá an-rath ar an scéim sin atá á feidhmiú ag Bord Bia thar ceann mo Roinne ar mhaithe le tuairimí a athrú agus páistí bunscoile a spreagadh chun níos mó torthaí agus glasraí a ithe.

Sa scoilbhliain 2009/2010, ghlac 386 bunscoil agus 54,567 dalta páirt sa Scéim Torthaí sna Scoileanna/Food Dude agus fuarthas maoiniú €475,422.65 ón AE agus €2 milliún ó mo Roinn. Léiríodh i suirbhé neamhspleách inar ghlac tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí páirt go raibh an-mheas ag tuismitheoirí, ag múinteoirí agus ag daltaí ar an scéim.

Sainaithníodh Food Dude i dTuarascáil an Tascfhórsa um Otracht mar chur chuige ar bhonn fianaise chun dul i ngleic leis an otracht.

Grant Payments

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
535 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding single farm payment and area aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath and if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39085/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. My Department identified an over-claim error on a number of land parcels declared by the applicant. A response has now been received from the herd owner in relation to these over-claims. Further re-digitisation is now required to ensure compliance with the relevant EU Regulations; immediately this process is complete, provided no further errors are identified, payment due will issue to the person named.

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
536 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding area aid and single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath and if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39086/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (in one instance, a building) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
537 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be paid the remainder of their single farm payment which is being held up under the guise of digitisation; if the remaining payment will issue as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39087/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (including a number of buildings) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
538 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be paid the remainder of their farm payment as same is being held up under the guise of digitisation; if the remaining payment will issue as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39088/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 April 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (buildings, farmyard, roadway) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
539 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure that the single farm payment which is due in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will issue as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39089/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 April 2010. A number of parcels listed by the person named on the application required re-digitisation; this process is now complete and the payment due will issue to the person named shortly.

Jim O'Keeffe
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Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
540 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in the digitisation of maps; the stage the process is now at; the number of farm payments being withheld at present due to these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39103/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department has received over 123,000 applications for the Single Payment Scheme and 102,000 for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. It is expected that when processing is completed over 70,000 of these will require digitising to be carried out on some or all of the land parcels the applicant has submitted, compared to an average of 22,000 in previous years. As a result, my Department has facilitated payment to cases on all digitised land, provided that there are no other errors. To date, over 110,000 applicants have received a Single Farm Payment, as well as 88,000 applicants under the Disadvantaged Area Payments Scheme.

A total of 92,652 applicants have received their full 50% advance under the Single Payment Scheme, while a further 17,337 have received a partial payment. Of the remaining unpaid applicants, 773 have received no payment as yet due to un-digitised land, and these are prioritised by my Department.

Similarly, in the Disadvantaged Area Scheme 58,751 farmers have received full payment, with a further 29,302 farmers receiving a part-payment. Some 2,610 applications remain where all of the land declared requires re-digitising. Payment will be made to these applicants when re-digitising is completed and all errors are cleared provided they meet the minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare. In the past many of these cases were not eligible for payment, as they did not meet the stocking density requirement.

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
541 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme 4 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39140/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments as soon as possible, the checks are likely to take several more weeks to complete. The balancing payment of 25% can issue once all on-the-spot inspections for the year have taken place. The programme of inspections is well advanced at this stage.

Pigmeat Sector

Niall Collins
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Niall Collins
Question:
542 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of compensation paid to a claimant (details supplied) arising from dioxin support compensation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39159/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The information requested by the Deputy is commercially sensitive and I regret that I cannot issue it to him. However, I can say that to date a total of €100m has been paid out under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme: €35m in 2008, €55m in 2009 and €10m in 2010.

Grant Payments

Michael Lowry
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Michael Lowry
Question:
543 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a suckler cow payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in respect of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39169/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named registered 18 animals into the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2008 and 2009.

One of the conditions of the Suckler Welfare Scheme is that an applicant is required to submit a valid Single Payment application for each year. The person named has not submitted a Single Payment application since 2007 and is, therefore, not eligible for payment under the Suckler Welfare Scheme.

However, an official of my Department has made contact with the person named and further consideration will be given to this case on the receipt of the documentation requested from the person named.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
544 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39229/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The number of appointments that can be made to the board of each State agency under the aegis of my Department are listed in the table below:

Body

Number of Board members

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)

9

Bord Bia

15

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

6

Bord na gCon

7

Coillte Teoranta

9

Horse Racing Ireland

14

Irish National Stud

7

Marine Institute

9

National Milk Agency

5

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

3 Members of the Authority

Teagasc

11

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
545 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39243/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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There are 10 State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, namely:

Agencies

Bord Bia

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Bord na gCon

Coillte Teoranta

Horse Racing Ireland

Irish National Stud

Marine Institute

National Milk Agency

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

Teagasc

The annual budget is available in the Annual Report of each State Body which is held in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Grant Payments

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
546 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment of grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the progress regarding the digitising of their land maps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39315/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 April 2010. The person named received advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis of the land cleared at that stage. A number of the land parcels declared by the person named require re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (buildings, farmyard, roadway) and, immediately this is completed, the application will be processed with a view to further payments issuing shortly thereafter, provided no further issues have been highlighted.

Departmental Offices

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
547 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the cost of the lease and rent of his Department’s office in an area (details supplied); if he is concerned at the continuation of this situation in the context of value for money when Departments are looking at ways to reduce costs; if he will reconsider, as was originally announced by the Minister, that the office would move to available suitable premises at Mellows College, Athenry which will be conveniently located for the customers and at a much lower cost; if he will outline the annual costs to his Department for each of the years since they moved from Hynes Buildings; if he will name the owners of the facility now occupied by his Department; if he will clearly indicate the reduced requirement of space as against the original space contracted for; if he will provide information on the matter; if he will indicate if any outstanding obligations exist on the Hynes Building and for how long more are the contract obligations on the Dockgate facilities to run; if he considers other Departments commitment to this contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39427/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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All issues in relation to leases for Government Departments/Offices, including my Department is a matter for the Office of Public Works. However, earlier this year, my Department vacated a significant amount of the space previously occupied at Dockgate in Galway in order to accommodate additional staff of the Department of Social Protection, which resulted in a significant saving in the rental cost paid on behalf of my Department.

My Department's local office reorganisation plan provides for a reduction from 58 to 16 the number of offices from which the Department will provide district veterinary, forestry and agricultural environment and support services in the future. Significant progress has been made in the implementation of that plan with ten new regional offices already established and 22 associated offices closed to the public.

A further six additional regional offices will be established to complete the plan, of which one will be in Counties Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kildare and Offaly and I expect shortly to confirm which offices will be part of the next phase of the implementation plan.

Retail Sector Pricing Strategies

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
548 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the problem of large supermarkets using alcoholic drinks as a loss leader to attract custom to their store and the complaint that this represents unfair competition to specialist off-licence outlets; if he is satisfied that the existing laws provide adequate protection for fair competition in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38650/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The use of aggressive pricing strategies is a legitimate marketing tool and is the normal outcome of the competitive process. Low cost and below cost selling by a retailer, including an off-licence, is not of itself an offence unless it involves abuse of a dominant position. A determination on whether a retailer is abusing a dominant position in the marketplace would necessitate a comprehensive investigation by the Competition Authority.

The Authority is the independent statutory body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State and complaints of any alleged anti-competitive practice should be referred to it.

Redundancy Payments

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
549 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will confirm that there is an eight month delay from date of receipt of redundancy payments in his Department until payment is made to the person; his views on this delay and the measures he proposes to reduce this waiting time. [39022/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
550 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in many companies which go into liquidation, there can be long delays in submitting claims for redundancy payments on behalf of employees who have lost their jobs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39023/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
553 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of individuals who were given redundancy payments by his Department in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010. [39118/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
554 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the cost to his Department of redundancy payments for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010. [39119/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 549, 550, 553 and 554 together.

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is currently processing rebate claims from employers in general dating from April 2010 so that the waiting time is currently between 6 and 7 months. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims has improved and claims dating from April 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

It can indeed be the case, as pointed out by the Deputy, that in the instance of companies going into liquidation there can be a delay in the submission of employees' claims by the Liquidators to my Department. This is unfortunately something that is completely outside of my Department's direct control. It is my Department's policy to process redundancy claims in order of date of receipt.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

Prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against existing outstanding tax liabilities which those employers owe to the Revenue Commissioners.

Table 1 sets out the number of statutory redundancies for which claims were received by my Department for the years 2006 to 2009 and provisional figures for the period January to September, 2010. These figures reflect the number of employees who actually qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments. They do not reflect those who lost their jobs with less than two years service in employment. Unfortunately, I am unable to give a breakdown as between claims that were made payable directly to individuals as opposed to rebate payments to employers as my Department does not collate the figures on this basis.

Table 2 sets out the monies paid out of the Social Insurance Fund in respect of redundancy claims for the years 2006-2009 and up to 30 September 2010. It should be noted that all figures provided for 2009 and to date in 2010 are provisional figures.

During the period January to September 2010, 47,587 claims were received and 58,202 (with an attendant value of €363m) were processed, an increase of 81% on the corresponding 9 month period in 2009 (32,127). In 2009, claims processed amounted to 50,664 so that at this point the level of claims processed has exceeded the levels achieved in 2009.

The backlog and waiting times remain at unacceptable levels. However, improvements are evident. In 2009, my Department processed 50,664 claims, up 70% on the previous year. Furthermore, the level of new claims processed in the first nine months of 2010 was 58,202 — up over 81% on the corresponding 9-month period in 2009 (32,127) and surpassing the total amount of claims processed for the full year 2009 which came to 50,644. The backlog of claims is decreasing — reducing from its highest level in November 2009 of 43,608 to a current level of 29,776.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Table 1: Actual Statutory Redundancies for years 2002 to 2009 and up to end September, 2010 edundancies for years 2002 to 2009 and up to end September, 2010

Year

Number of Redundancy Claims

2006

23,684

2007

25,459

2008

40,607

2009

77,001

2010

47,587*

* Provisional figures.

Table 2: Expenditure on Statutory Redundancies for years 2002 to 2009 and up to end September, 2010

(€000)

Year

Expenditure on Statutory Redundancy

2006

166,483

2007

183,328

2008

193,711

2009

335,861*

2010

363,284*

*All figures for 2009 and 2010 are provisional subject to audit

Departmental Agencies

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
551 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of commercial units leased by tenants of the Industrial Development Agency where such units are in the ownership or leased by the IDA in County Kildare; if the IDA has any units in its own ownership or leased from any other body or person in County Kildare that are not in use at this time; the areas where all units are situated; the cost to the IDA of the units per year; the rent obtained for the leased premises that are occupied; the rent for those that are not occupied per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39032/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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I am informed by IDA Ireland that IDA has no units in its ownership in Co Kildare. IDA has leases on 6 private sector units in Newbridge, Co Kildare. None of the units are currently occupied so IDA is not in receipt of any rent at present, as outlined in the tabular statement below:

Building Name

SQ M.

Occupancy Status

Head Lease Rent

Rent € per m.sq.

€

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 1

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,549.13

81.63

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 2

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,278.67

80.73

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 3

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,278.67

80.73

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 4

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,278.67

80.73

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 5

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,278.67

80.73

CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 5

300.73

AVAILABLE

24,278.67

80.73

Market Rights

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
552 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will give an indication of when legislation, requested by Dublin City Council, will be passed to extinguish the market right of the Smithfield Horse Fair, without providing an alternative location; and if he will expedite this legislation. [39099/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The Casual Trading Act 1995 sets out the law regarding selling goods in public places. Casual trading is defined as "selling goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right". The Act essentially requires those who engage in casual trading to hold a licence granted for that purpose by the relevant local authority where the casual trading takes please. It is the case, therefore, that whilst I have policy responsibility for the 1995 Act, operational and regulatory responsibility in regard to selling in public places lies with the 88 local authorities who each regulate casual trading in their own particular jurisdictions.

Insofar as the issue of "Market Rights" is concerned, the 1995 Act defines a "market right" as "a right conferred by franchise or statute to hold a fair or market, that is to say, a concourse of buyers and sellers to dispose of commodities". These market rights refer to markets and fairs created by statute or royal decree in the period from the Norman invasion to 1922. Section 7 of the 1995 Act provides that local authorities may, either by agreement or compulsorily, acquire any market right in their functional areas. Section 8 sets out the powers of local authorities in relation to market rights owned by them, including in relation to the power to extinguish a market right. Essentially the Act only allows a local authority to extinguish a market right where it provides or has already provided, alternative facilities in the same vicinity as the market or fair to which the right relates.

Insofar as the management of the Smithfield Fair is concerned, this is a matter for the Dublin City Council and I have no jurisdiction in this matter. I understand that my Department has not received any specific request from Dublin City Council to extend the powers of local authorities in relation to the extinguishment of market rights. The Deputy may wish to be aware, however, that the issue of the status of market rights is currently the subject of a case before the Supreme Court, involving an appeal by a trader against a decision by a local authority in relation to the extinguishment of a market right. It is understood that this case will be heard in the spring of 2011. Any considerations in relation to a review of the legislation in this area may be more appropriate at that time.

Questions Nos. 553 and 554 answered with Question No. 549.

Work Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
555 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a work permit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39208/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits — Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits. All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

I wish to advise the Deputy that this application was received in the Employment Permits Section of my Department on the 20th October 2010.

All applications are dealt with in date of receipt order by permit type and the Employment Permits Section is currently processing all permit types within their customer service target of 15 working days.

A decision will be due on this application in another 2 weeks.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
556 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39234/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Following is a list of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department's control:

Enterprise Ireland

The Board of Enterprise Ireland is comprised of 12 members.

Forfás

The Board of Forfás is comprised of 13 members.

The Health and Safety Authority

The Board of the Health and Safety Authority is comprised of 12 members.

IDA Ireland

The Board of IDA Ireland is made up of 12 members.

Intertrade Ireland

The Board of Intertrade Ireland is made up of 12 members, 6 from The Republic of Ireland and 6 from Northern Ireland.

Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)

The Board of IAASA is comprised of 15 members. Currently, there are 2 vacancies on the Board.

The Labour Relations Commission

The Board of the Labour Relations Commission is comprised of 7 members.

The National Consumer Agency

The Board of the National Consumer Agency is comprised of 13 members. Currently, there is 1 vacancy on the Board.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland

The Board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland is comprised of 13 members.

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)

The Board of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board is comprised of 11 members. Currently, there is 1 vacancy on the Board.

Science Foundation Ireland

The Board of Science Foundation Ireland is comprised of 12 members.

Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. (SFADCo)

The Board of SFADCo is comprised of 12 members.

County Enterprise Boards

There are 35 County Enterprise Boards with a total number of Board members of 516. Currently there are 40 vacancies within the CEB Board network.

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
557 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39248/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The Table below sets out the funding allocated to each of the Agencies under the Aegis of my Department between 2006 and 2010. The allocations shown include exchequer funding and National Training Fund (NTF) monies, where appropriate.

While the table shows Exchequer funding and NTF, some of the Agencies receive funding from other sources such as fees , property rental, grant refunds, and from other Departments or bodies. Funding from these sources is not included in the table.

On 1st May 2010, responsibility for FÁS and for the NTF was transferred to the Minister for Education and Skills. However, the full 2010 allocation for FÁS and for bodies under my remit that are funded from the NTF are provided for the Deputy's information.

The Employment Subsidy Scheme was introduced in 2009 and is managed by Enterprise Ireland. The 2010 REV allocation for the agency includes an allocation of €114.5 million for the scheme.

InterTrade Ireland is co-funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. Only the contribution from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation is shown below.

In addition to the monies shown on the table, Irish Accounting and Auditing Supervisory Authority (IAASA) receives further contributions from industry associations.

The functions of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) were transferred to the National Consumer Agency when the Agency was established on a statutory basis in2007.

Agency

2006 Total

2007 Total

2008 Total

2009 Total

2010 Total

000’

000’

000’

000’

000’

CEBs

30,421

31,856

31,985

27,812

28,310

CompetitionAuthority

5,831

6,104

6,776

5,568

4734

Enterprise Ireland

259,698

278,066

297,444

333,660

416,678

FÁS

942,015

1,046,312

1,096,192

1,063,936

1,017,753

Forfás

32,267

35,035

38,475

37,164

43,015

HSA

20,598

22,513

24,440

22,638

21,959

IDA Ireland

141,718

143,243

146,250

117,971

130,240

InterTrade Ireland

9,325

11,892

10,682

8,499

7,848

IAASA

919

1,528

1,547

1,532

1,345

NCA

7,289

8,397

10,000

8,588

7,232

NSAI

6,526

7,719

8,787

8,241

7,472

SFADCo

3,784

3,350

3,357

957

7,932

PIAB

0

0

0

0

60

Science Foundation Ireland

149,436

165,722

183,643

170,524

159,833

Industrial Development

Ulick Burke
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Ulick Burke
Question:
558 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of visits by Industrial Development Authority personnel with potential investors to a town (details supplied) in County Galway from the beginning of 2008 to September 2010; if he is satisfied that sufficient efforts are being undertaken by this agency to entice potential investors to the town; the progress being made by the Government in the areas of job creation at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39429/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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I have been informed by the IDA that to date in 2010, there have been 25 first-time site visits to County Galway, of which 1 was to Ballinasloe. In 2009, there were 22 first-time site visits and 1 of these was to Ballinasloe. There were 14 first-time site visits to County Galway in 2008, none of which visited Ballinsloe.

As part of its strategy to attract inward investment, IDA Ireland introduces a prospective client company to 3 or 4 selected locations, which meet the company's requirements in terms of skills, labour, site, buildings and infrastructure. In undertaking this process, IDA seeks to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. Priority is also accorded to the Border, Midlands and West regions. While IDA aims to influence the selection of location, the final decision on location is always taken by the promoting company.

IDA is investing significantly in the provision of world class property solutions in the West region. IDA has developed Business and Technology Parks in Ballinsaloe, Tuam and Parkmore and a BioPharma Strategic Site at Oranmore. The IDA has developed a c. 13.15 hectare (c. 33 acre) Business and Technology Park in Ballinalsoe, of which c. 9.70 hectares (c.24 acres) is available for new investment. Valois, a manufacturer of cosmetic dispensing systems, and Creagh Medical, (formerly USCI), an Enterprise Ireland client and medical technology company occupy 25,000 sq ft and a 29,000 sq. ft. advanced technology facilities respectively.

IDA recognises the need to provide high value employment opportunities in County Galway, including the Gateway City of Galway and the key towns of Ballinsaloe and Tuam, which will provide sustainable long -term jobs. IDA's strategies have proved successful to date, despite the difficult global economic conditions.

The following are some recent significant investments announced in the West region:

Covidien, a leading global supplier of healthcare products is investing €900,000 in medical technologies research and development projects with NUI Galway, during the next two years. This is the first phase of a multi-part investment of €1.8 million with Irish academic institutions which Covidien announced in July.

Recently, I announced that a global leader in operational endpoint security, Lumension, is expanding its Galway-based global R & D Centre. The company, which established the operation in October 2009 with the intention of employing 30 people in the facility, now expects to employ over 50 people by the end of 2010.

In addition, Merit Medical is to invest €6.7 million in expanding its operation in Galway with the creation of 100 new jobs

Other investment announcements in 2010 were:

Electronic Arts is to open a European customer service and operations centre for its BioWare studio in Galway creating 200 new jobs and will be operational in 2011.

Valeo, which is located in Tuam, Co. Galway, is to invest further in its Irish operations by embarking on a major Research and Development (R &D) Programme and expansion to target the growing market for vision systems in the automotive industry. The company will significantly expand its operations in Tuam in order to target a growing share of the camera vision market with the development of the next generation of new camera/vision systems.

StreamServ Inc, a leading provider of business communications solutions is to establish an Inside Sales and Customer Care Operation in Galway, creating 20 jobs.

The level of foreign direct investment in Ireland relative to the size of the economy is one of the highest in Europe. I am confident, therefore, that the policies being pursued in County Galway, together with the ongoing commitment to regional development will bear fruit in terms of international investment and job creation in the County, including Ballinasloe.

UN Conventions

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
559 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the main provisions of this convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38539/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Moloney)
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is a human rights instrument with an explicit social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorisation of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms of existing UN human rights conventions, (principally the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights).

The provisions of the convention deal with the following areas:

right to life, liberty and security of and protecting the integrity of the person;

access to justice, non-discrimination and equality before the law;

freedom from torture, inhuman treatment, exploitation, violence and abuse;

respect for home and family;

accessibility to buildings, goods and services;

independent living, personal mobility;

education, health, work and employment; and

adequate standards of living and social protection.

Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the UNCRPD when it opened for signature on 30 March 2007. It is the Government's intention to ratify the Convention as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met.

Irish Language

Jim O'Keeffe
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Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
560 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether a problem arises because section 7 of the Official Languages Act 2003 which requires that after the enactment of any Act of the Oireachtas the text thereof shall be printed and published in each of the official languages simultaneously and if he considers that an amendment to the Act would be appropriate at this stage in order that whichever version of an Act of the Oireachtas is available, is immediately accessible to the general public. [38646/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I am aware of the issue referred to by the Deputy. While publication of Acts is a matter for the Oireachtas Commission, the issue is under consideration, in consultation with the Attorney General, to see how best it can be resolved.

Departmental Agencies

Frank Feighan
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Frank Feighan
Question:
561 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of the number of staff and the salary grades of those employed in each Leader partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38492/10]

Frank Feighan
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Frank Feighan
Question:
562 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent in 2009 by each Leader partnership on administration as a proportion of overall budget; the amount expected to be spent in the same context in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38493/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), for which overall funding of the order of €425m is available. The main objectives of the programme are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The individual measures under the programme, including indicative allocations, are as follows:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families — €16.66m;

Support for business creation and development — €48.26m;

Encouragement of tourism activities — €45.4m;

Basic services for the economy and rural population — €49.61m;

Village renewal and development — €54.2m;

Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage — €51.7m;

Training and information on adapted and new skills — €29.45m; and

Implementing co-operation projects–€10.7m.

I am pleased with progress to date under the RDP, which continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities since it started in 2009. This has resulted in the proliferation of innovative and sustainable development projects all over the country, which are providing invaluable support to rural communities in these difficult times.

The integrated local development companies contracted to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the RDP are independent private limited companies. My Department does not have a role in the human resource elements of the management of such companies. All employment and remuneration considerations are a matter for the individual companies in question.

Under the relevant measure of Axis 4 of the RDP, there is provision for funding to cover the running costs of the companies, which are given a specific allocation in this regard over the lifetime of the programme. Under EU regulations, the allocation under this measure cannot exceed 20% of the overall programme allocation. The table below details the percentage of the overall allocation in respect of administration for each group in 2009 and allocated for 2010.

Local Action Group

RDP Prog Total Budget

Admin Spend 2009

As a % of Prog budget

Allocation for 2010

As a % of Prog budget

€

€

€

Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership

9,057,810

316,098.71

3.49

271,734.44

3.00

Ballyhoura Development Ltd.

11,673,519

404,688.65

3.47

473,000.00

4.05

Carlow Co Development Partnership Ltd.

8,878,177

320,307.67

3.61

296,345.44

3.34

Cavan Partnership Ltd & County Monaghan Area Partnership Ltd.

12,035,118

247,592.19

2.06

387,069.30

3.22

Comhar na nOileán Teo.

4,642,415

197,077.02

4.25

454,911.08

9.80

Clare Local Development Co. Ltd.

14,028,529

355,838.59

2.54

173,395.41

1.24

Donegal Local Development Co. Ltd.

12,831,901

379,129.26

2.95

414,957.22

3.23

FORUM Connemara

9,668,965

186,826.39

1.93

253,003.52

2.62

Fingal LEADER Partnership

7,766,780

216,876.19

2.79

290,069.10

3.73

Galway Rural Development Co. Ltd.

15,257,985

360,926.38

2.37

457,739.78

3.00

Inishowen Development Partnership

8,286,143

240,140.54

2.90

255,584.41

3.08

IRD Duhallow

10,315,943

306,023.45

2.97

331,978.44

3.22

Kildare (Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo)

12,282,448

244,340.16

1.99

368,473.62

3.00

Co Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Ltd

11,523,729

377,104.49

3.27

395,712.04

3.43

Laois Community and Enterprise Development Co. Ltd.

10,993,608

275,768.55

2.51

329,808.40

3.00

Leitrim Integrated Development Co.

10,845,497

314,622.08

2.90

349,065.07

3.22

Longford Community Resource Ltd.

8,714,110

200,921.78

2.31

261,423.43

3.00

Louth LEADER Partnership

8,839,815

253,575.69

2.87

293,823.92

3.32

Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co.

10,751,894

298,999.33

2.78

322,556.98

3.00

Meath Partnership

12,748,771

466,133.63

3.66

437,463.32

3.43

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo.

17,278,809

549,753.17

3.18

518,364.53

3.00

North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teo.

10,558,882

283,970.99

2.69

316,766.62

3.00

North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Co.

9,708,008

213,273.99

2.20

291,240.39

3.00

Offaly Integrated Local Development Co.

11,520,489

261,479.25

2.27

345,614.84

3.00

Roscommon Integrated Development Co.

12,838,021

402,930.75

3.14

385,140.82

3.00

Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership Co.

10,888,673

333,651.09

3.06

352,599.84

3.24

South East Cork Area Development Ltd.

10,641,494

268,505.33

2.52

369,244.98

3.47

South Tipperary Local Development Co.Ltd.

11,106,187

308,371.88

2.78

371,120.20

3.34

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd.

12,370,667

372,765.37

3.01

333,185.78

2.69

South West Mayo Development Co. Ltd .

12,150,007

370,710.46

3.05

364,500.39

3.00

Waterford LEADER Partnership Ltd

10,558,519

244,439.69

2.32

316,755.73

3.00

West Cork Development Partnership

14,601,149

425,453.89

2.91

473,449.27

3.24

West Limerick Resources

9,997,751

278,891.93

2.79

331,358.68

3.31

Westmeath Community Development

10,987,060

355,819.91

3.24

342,697.64

3.12

Wexford Local Development

12,515,565

418,575.91

3.34

375,467.14

3.00

Co. Wicklow Partnership

11,135,560

320,000.54

2.87

334,066.97

3.00

399,999,998

11,371,584.90

Ave 2.86

12,639,688.75

Ave 3.29

Community Development

Michael McGrath
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Michael McGrath
Question:
563 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if a decision has been made regarding the future of a community development programme in Cork (details supplied). [38630/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The group referred to by the Deputy has recently written to my Department with a proposal regarding their future role within the Local and Community Development Programme.

The details are being examined by my officials and I expect to have their recommendations shortly.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
564 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39231/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of board members sitting on the boards of bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group is set out in the table below.

The Deputy may wish to note that there are currently two vacancies on the board of the Equality Authority and four vacancies on the board of the Family Support Agency. There is also one vacancy on the board of Foras na Gaeilge and one vacancy on the Dormant Accounts Board.

For completeness, the Deputy should be aware that certain bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group — Waterways Ireland, the Equality Tribunal and the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga — do not have boards.

Body

Current number of board members

Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests

11

Dormant Accounts Board

10

Western Development Commission

12

Údarás na Gaeltachta

20

An Foras Teanga, comprising

Ulster-Scots Agency

8

Foras na Gaeilge

15

Family Support Agency

8

Equality Authority

14

National Disability Authority

13

Irish Human Rights Commission

15

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
565 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39245/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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Funding provided to the agencies from my Department's Vote Group is shown annually in the Revised Estimates and in the Appropriation Accounts, each of which are available in the Dáil Library and on the internet at www.finance.gov.ie and www.audgen.gov.ie respectively.

The table below shows the funding provided by my Department to the relevant agencies in each of the years 2006 to 2010. Figures from 2006 to 2009 are taken from the outturns shown in the Appropriation Accounts. In the case of 2010, the figures used are the allocations shown in the Further Revised Estimates (FRE).

The Deputy will be aware that, in the context of the transfer of functions announced earlier this year, several agencies transferred to my Department with effect from 1 May 2010 and 1 June 2010. The table below shows the position with regard to funding provided by my Department to the agencies from the FRE.

Agency

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

Western Development Commission

7,693

6,495

6,511

4,458

2,230

Údarás na Gaeltachta

42,810

39,369

44,054

37,635

29,915

An Coimisinéir Teanga

647

694

831

831

796

An Foras Teanga

15,135

16,167

18,670

16,216

16,634

Waterways Ireland

34,133

36,218

38,140

34,504

33,585

Equality Authority

2,007*

Equality Tribunal

1,217*

National Disability Authority

4,056*

Human Rights Commission

849*

Family Support Agency

23,600**

*Transferred to Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs with effect from 1st June 2010 from Department of Justice and Law Reform.

**Transferred to Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs with effect from 1st May 2010 from Department of Social Protection.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
566 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in the context of the appointment of an Ordinary Member of the Council of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, his role in the approval given on 24 October 2006 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, for borrowing by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority up to the statutory limit of €127 million under Section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, and for the taking by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority of a shareholding in a joint venture company, in accordance with Section 6 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, to purchase one site, (details supplied); the advice he received from his appointee on the Council of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in relation to this transaction; the role and functions of his appointee to the Council of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the frequency with which he is consulted by his appointee in relation to the ongoing deliberations of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the nature of such consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39399/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I am advised that the Council of the Authority has no role in the matter referred to by the Deputy.

An officer of my Department is appointed to the Council by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, and acts in that capacity in accordance with the provisions of section 20 of the Act and other relevant provisions. The officer presently appointed to the Council has, inter alia, oversight responsibility in my Department for Waterways Ireland, a North/South Implementation Body with significant interests in the docklands area (e.g. the Grand Canal and Spencer Docks).

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
567 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta cén ról a bheidh ag a Roinn maidir le Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge an Rialtais; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh [32350/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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Mar is eol do na Teachtaí, tá an dréacht-Straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge foilsithe ag an Rialtas ó dheireadh 2009 agus cuireadh os comhair an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais do Ghnóthaí Turasóireachta Cultúir, Spóirt, Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta í le breithniú. Tuigtear dom go raibh cruinnithe éagsúla ag an gComhchoiste le páirtithe leasmhara níos luaithe i mbliana agus d'aontaigh an Comhchoiste ar aighneacht le 39 moladh inti. Fuarthas moltaí an Chomhchoiste ar 28 Iúil 2010 agus táthar á mbreithniú ag mo Roinnse i gcomhair le Ranna ábhartha eile. Táthar ag siúl leis an obair seo a thabhairt chun críche go luath.

Ach é sin a bheith déanta, tá súil agam go mbeifear in ann cruinniú den Choiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht a thionól ar 17 Samhain 2010 ar mhaithe leis an dréacht dheiridh den Straitéis a scrúdú agus, ina dhiaidh sin, í a thabhairt os comhair an Rialtais le ceadú.

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá moltaí éagsúla maidir leis an nGaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht — go mbeadh impleachtaí acu do róil mo Roinne-se agus Údarás na Gaeltachta amach anseo — curtha san áireamh sa dréacht-Straitéis. Feictear dom go mbeidh ról ceannasaíochta ag mo Roinnse i bhfeidhmiú na Straitéise amach anseo ach, go dtí go mbeidh an leagan deireanach den Straitéis aontaithe agus foilsithe, ní léir dom go mbeadh sé cuí bheith níos sonrach faoin gceist ag an bpointe seo.

Community Development

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
568 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Active Citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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Responsibility for progressing the Active Citizenship agenda was transferred from the Department of the Taoiseach to my Department in May 2010, as support for voluntary activity and community involvement are part of my Department's core functions. I welcome the integration of this work into my Department, which will complement our ongoing efforts to encourage voluntary activity and community development. My Department will be supported in its role by the Steering Group on Active Citizenship, chaired by Ms Mary Davis, whose members have a wealth of experience of working to develop community engagement and encourage greater levels of civic engagement by citizens who are committed to making a positive difference within their communities. I believe that the Government's efforts to date have helped to increase levels of community involvement and generate a new willingness in Irish society to become involved and to help others. Government continues to work with communities and organisations to highlight and promote the importance of increasing civic engagement by citizens, including voluntary and philanthropic activities that strengthen the fabric of community life across Ireland. I believe that a strong, vibrant community infrastructure is vital in order to maximise our potential to provide a better quality of life for all, despite the significant economic challenges that we now face.

At EU level, Ireland has been to the forefront of identifying Active Citizenship as a policy area which needs to be addressed and strengthened. Lately I was pleased to chair the inaugural meeting of the Irish Steering Group for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 (EYV2011). Central to the year is the whole concept of Active Citizenship, of which volunteering is just one part.

Progressing the recommendations of the Taskforce is a matter for several Departments as well as my own. I am pleased that a number of the recommendations have been advanced to date, including the following:

Audits of existing community facilities have been completed and appropriate arrangements are being made by local authorities to make them available at local level. The main purpose of the audits is to establish current level provision and that, in the event of future public funding for community facilities, any applications for such financing support would take account of the results of the audit in terms of identifying needs in specific geographic areas.

The Taskforce recommended the strengthening of local civic participation, which informed the preparation of the Green Paper on Local Government: Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change. The White Paper on Local Government, which will present settled Government policy on a range of local government matters, including participative democracy measures, is currently being finalised by the Cabinet Committee on Local Government.

The Department of Education and Skills has encouraged schools to make their premises available for community use. In addition, a scheme is currently funded under the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage Fund) to enable DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City to open after school hours to maximise community use of school premises and facilities. All of the DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City, a total of 22 schools (16 primary and 6 post primary), are participating in this scheme. There are approximately 200 new after-school activities running in all 22 schools.

At second level senior cycle, the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum Assessment) is developing a syllabus for a full optional exam subject called ‘Politics and Society' as an extension of the current Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) subject in Junior Cycle, which currently gives students practical experience of active citizenship.

In relation to the adult education sector, the range of Further and Adult Education programmes are geared towards enabling participants to contribute more fully to the social, cultural and economic life of this country, through education and information courses.

Active Citizenship was a key theme of the Social Inclusion Week arranged by local authorities last week as part of the Irish National Programme of activities supporting the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. My Department also supported an all-island conference on "Combating Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion" which I addressed last week. In this regard, the Steering Group liaised with my Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and advised on Active Citizenship awareness around the country.

Defence Forces Property

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
569 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 19 October 2010 the number, location and cost of each of the properties rented under subhead R in 2009 and to date in 2010; the expected cost of these properties in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Department currently has a total of fifty six properties rented for the use of the Reserve Defence Forces for training purposes. Ten properties are in use fulltime and the remainder are in use on a part-time basis. There are no properties rented by the Department for use as office space. The following tabular statement gives an outline of the properties concerned. Rents are reviewed on a regular basis and are based on a number of factors, including size, location and quality of the facility. Information regarding the specific rents paid in respect of each premises is commercially sensitive. However, the total annual rents being paid in respect of all such premises in 2009 was €92,501 and in 2010 is in the region of €122,350.

Property Rented on a Full-Time Basis in 2010

County

Address

Size

Terms

Clare

Kilrush Creek Marina (NSR) Kilrush,

Building — 4,000sq ft Yard — 3,400 sq ft.

Licence agreementfrom 1/1/2010 –31/12/2010 for one year only at the discretion of the Licensor

Cork

Weir St., Bandon, Co.

1,585 sq ft.

Letting agreement commenced in 2001 for a term of 10 years

Donegal

Unit 4, Court Place, Cardonagh

12.4 mtrs × 7.6mtrs

Letting agreement commenced 1985

Galway

Tuam Hutsite

Hutsite only 2,244 sq ft.

Longstanding local agreement

Leitrim

8 Park Lane, Carrick-on-Shannon

839 sq ft

Longstanding local agreement

Mayo

Foxford, Ballina

2 Storey Terraced House.

Longstanding local agreement Rent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.

Monaghan:

Cross St. Carrickmacross

2 Storey Building

Longstanding local agreement

Monaghan

Drumgoask, Monaghan

40ft × 40ft

Letting agreement commenced in 2010 for a term of 5 years

Offaly

Kilcruttin, Tullamore. Ground Floor Unit

1,863 sq ft.

Longstanding local agreement Rent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.

Sligo

Unit 12B, Cleveragh Business Centre

683.24 sq ft.

Agreement commenced in 2006 for a term of 10 years — rent review after 5yrs

Carlow

Hutsite, Carlow Workhouse

Hutsite only150ft × 120ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Tullow

30ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Cork

Town Hall, Bandon — 2 rooms

34ft × 31ft &21ft × 15½ ft.

Longstanding local agreement

Parochial Hall, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry

50ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Beara Sports Hall, Castletownbere

130ft × 75ft

Longstanding local agreement

Charleville Community Hall, Chapel St.

20ft × 15ft

Longstanding local agreement

Macroom GAA Club

Ent Hall 5.59m × 1.89mHall 16.37m × 6.04m

Licence agreement commenced in 2008 and from year to year thereafter

Industrial Hall, Clonakilty

60ft × 80ft

Longstanding local agreement

St. Patrick’s Hall, Dunmanway

82ft × 35ft

Longstanding local agreement

Scoil Mhuire Hall, Kanturk

98ft × 53ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Kilworth

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Kinsale Municipal Hall

50ft × 36ft

Longstanding local agreement

Parish Hall, Roscarbery

1430sq ft.

Longstanding local agreement

GAA Club, Millstreet

63.4ft × 40.3ft

Longstanding local agreement

Scoil Phadraig, New Road, Mallow

School Gym70ft × 40ft

Longstanding local agreement

Donegal

St. Finians Hall, Falcarragh

37ft × 18ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Massinass, Creeslough,

57ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Galway

Hall Einne, Carraroe

80ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community CentreGlenamaddy

50ft × 80ft

Longstanding local agreement

Coláiste Na Toirbhirte, Headford

30mtrs × 25mtrs

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Portumna

50ft × 16ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tuam Town Commissioners

Plot measuring 141’ × 48’

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Oughterard

23ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre Glenamaddy

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Glenfarne Hall

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Leitrim

Parochial Hall, Drumlea, Corrawallen

Not available

Longstanding local agreement

Mayflower Ballroom, Drumshambo

Not available

Longstanding local agreement

Limerick

Community Centre, Abbeyfeale

40ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Boher

31ft × 15ft

Longstanding local agreement

Muintir Na Tíre Hall, Hospital

90ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Newcastlewest, (Hut Site)

Hutsite only

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Pallas Green

12ft × 15ft

Term Year to YearMonths notice in writing to vacate.

Mayo

Scouts Den, Ballina

40ft × 25ft

Longstanding local agreement

Claremorris Town Hall

39ft × 90ft

Longstanding local agreement

Roundford Community Hall, Hollymount

72ft × 35ft

Longstanding local agreement

Swinford Community Hall

90ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Meath

Gilsen Boys School, Oldcastle

45ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Offaly

St. Mary’s Hall, Ferbane

60ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tipperary

St. Patrick’s Parochial Hall, Ballymacarberry

70ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tipperary Town (Hut Site)

Hutsite only

Longstanding local agreement

Waterford

Community Centre, Capoquin, Villierstown

2000 sq mtrs.

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy

45ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Cushinstown Parish Hall

Not available

Commenced in 2007 and from year to year thereafter

Scout Hall, Gorey

Not available

Commenced in 2010rent paid annually in advance

Wicklow

Tinahealy Parochial Hall

38ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Defence Forces Recruitment

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
570 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary Questions Nos. 554 and 555 of 19 October 2010 the number of persons expected to be recruited under the current general service recruitment competition; the breakdown of the numbers of new recruits by brigade including the Defence Forces training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38758/10]

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
571 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary Questions Nos. 554 and 555 of 19 October 2010 when he expects the selection process for the current general services recruitment to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38759/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 571 together.

It is intended to enlist a recruit platoon of 40 successful candidates to each of the Eastern and Southern Brigades in December 2010. The enlistment selection process of two further platoons,one each to the Western Brigade and the Defence Forces Training Centre, is scheduled to follow on when this enlistment has taken place.

Defence Forces Reserve

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
572 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary Question No. 64 of 7 July 2010 the number of effective and non-effective personnel serving in the Reserve Defence Force; if he will provide a national breakdown of the effective strength by brigade, unit and rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I am advised by the Military authorities that the total strength of the Reserve Defence Force as at 30 September 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 6,075, comprising 5,254 effective personnel and 821 non-effective personnel. A national breakdown of the effective strength by Brigade, unit and rank is provided in the tabular statements overleaf. While the number of effective personnel has increased by 53 since 31 May last, I am aware that, overall, effective numbers in the Reserve have declined over recent years. Limited recruitment into the RDF is continuing subject to the overall strength level that existed at 1 January 2009 (7,671) not being exceeded. The limited recruitment will also be monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision available to the Department.There is now a requirement to examine the progress that has been made and to chart the future direction of the Reserve. Work has commenced on a Value for Money Review of the Reserve which is being overseen by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance. The Steering Group are working towards a target date for completion of end March 2011.

The Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2008-2010 includes the commitment to prepare a new White Paper on Defence, in line with the Agreed Programme for Government. The findings of the Value For Money Review including the lessons learned through the RDF Review Implementation Plan process will complement the development of the new White Paper on Defence. This will ensure that further development of the Reserve is appropriately informed by the lessons of the past and the requirements for the future.

2 E Bde RDF Effective

2 E Bde RDF

Effective

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

Lt

2/Lt

Sgt Maj

BQMS

CS

CQMS

Sgt

Cpl

Pte

Total

HQ 2 E Bde RDF

1

4

4

2

2

1

1

3

4

3

6

2

33

62 Res Inf Bn

0

4

12

8

4

0

1

5

4

27

36

195

296

65 Res Inf Bn

0

6

8

7

8

0

0

5

6

26

48

196

310

67 Res Inf Bn

0

5

5

6

5

1

1

3

3

17

25

112

183

62 Res Arty Regt

0

4

12

9

4

1

2

4

2

32

37

97

204

62 Res Cav Sqn

0

0

3

2

0

0

0

1

1

9

8

29

53

62 Res Engr Coy

0

1

1

3

0

0

0

1

1

8

6

16

37

62 Res CIS Coy

0

1

2

1

1

0

0

1

1

5

5

12

29

62 Res Logs Bn

0

1

4

12

0

1

0

2

2

11

25

71

129

62 Res MP Coy

0

1

2

0

1

0

0

2

1

8

16

18

49

2 AD

0

1

3

1

0

0

0

1

1

10

10

18

45

Total

1

28

56

51

25

4

5

28

26

156

222

766

1,368

RDF Effective Strength by BDE, Unit, Rank as on 30 Sept. 2010

1 S Bde RDF

Effective

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

Lt

2/Lt

Sgt Maj

BQMS

CS

CQMS

Sgt

Cpl

Pte

Total

HQ 1 S Bde RDF

1

4

8

3

1

1

1

5

3

2

2

31

32 Res Inf Bn

0

5

8

19

4

0

1

10

6

37

49

209

348

33 Res Inf Bn

0

5

13

22

7

0

1

5

4

36

55

164

312

34 Res Inf Bn

0

6

8

16

3

1

1

5

6

35

45

232

358

31 Res Arty Regt

0

2

7

9

0

1

1

2

4

34

23

90

173

31 Res Cav Sqn

0

1

2

3

1

0

0

0

1

11

12

20

51

31 Res Engr Coy

0

1

3

1

0

0

0

1

0

7

2

14

29

31 Res CIS

0

1

0

2

1

0

0

1

1

6

8

53

73

31 Res MP Coy

0

1

2

2

0

0

0

1

1

14

38

11

70

31 Res Logs Bn

0

3

3

6

0

0

1

3

3

16

24

91

150

3 AD

0

1

2

1

0

0

0

1

1

9

7

34

56

4 AD

0

1

1

2

1

0

0

1

1

9

6

51

73

Total

1

31

57

86

18

3

6

35

31

216

271

969

1,724

RDF Effective Strength by, Unit, Rank as on 30 Sept. 2010

4 W Bde RDF

Effective

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

Lt

2/Lt

Sgt Maj

BQMS

CS

CQMS

Sgt

Cpl

Pte

Total

HQ 4 W Bde RDF

1

4

7

0

0

1

0

0

0

7

0

0

20

1

0

2

1

2

0

0

1

0

4

4

4

19

51 Res Inf Bn

0

6

12

11

1

1

0

4

4

44

76

279

438

56 Res Inf Bn

0

5

12

15

0

1

1

3

7

30

56

261

391

58 Res Inf Bn

0

5

10

12

11

1

1

4

5

41

82

281

453

54 Res Arty Regt

0

3

9

9

0

1

1

3

3

27

31

98

185

55 Res Cav Sqn

0

0

2

5

0

0

0

1

1

16

29

53

107

54 Res Engr Coy

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

8

16

61

89

54 Res CIS Coy

0

1

3

0

2

0

0

1

1

5

10

37

60

54 Res MP Coy

0

1

2

1

0

0

0

2

0

9

28

7

50

54 Res Logs Sp Bn

0

3

4

4

1

0

1

2

2

19

25

57

118

Total

1

29

64

59

17

5

4

22

24

210

357

1,138

1,930

RDF Effective Strength by BDE, Unit, Rank as on 30 Sept. 2010

RDF TA

Effective

Lt Col

Comdt

Capt

Lt

2/Lt

Sgt Maj

BQMS

CS

CQMS

Sgt

Cpl

Pte

Total

HQ DFTA

0

4

8

6

0

1

0

1

1

7

0

0

28

N S R

Effective

Lt Cmdr

Capt

Lt

Ens

WO

SCPO

CPO

SPO

PO

LS

Seaman

Total

Dublin

1

1

1

0

0

0

2

0

4

8

39

56

Waterford

1

2

0

2

0

1

4

0

3

8

34

55

Cork

1

2

1

0

0

1

2

0

0

6

34

47

Limerick

1

4

3

0

0

1

2

0

3

8

24

46

Total

4

9

5

2

0

3

10

0

10

30

131

204

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
573 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the number of board members sitting on the boards of each State agency under his Department’s control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39232/10]

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
574 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the annual budget of each State agency under his Department’s control in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39246/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

The bodies under the aegis of the Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. The information requested in relation to the yearly budgets and number of Board members is as follows:

Board Composition

Name of Agency

Number of Board Members

Civil Defence

14

Army Pensions Board

3

Coiste an Asgard

11

Budget Allocation

Year

Civil Defence

Army Pensions Board

Coiste an Asgard

€

€

€

2006

5,928,000

100,089

749,000

2007

6,099,000

103,000

879,000

2008

6,248,000

105,000

803,000

2009

6,148,000

104,000

830,000

2010

6,148,000

110,000

0

Spend to Date in 2010

6,061,000

82,457

0

The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure published in July 2009 recommended that the National Sail Training Scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard be discontinued and as a result no funding was provided in 2010.

Departmental Records

Michael Kennedy
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Michael Kennedy
Question:
575 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the dates on which tenders were received from Magdalene Laundries; the way in which the Department was cognisant of the fair wages clause in such tender contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39261/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Department recently examined the contents of relevant files that were located following a review of file listings. Given that the initial question related to contracts that may have been placed up to seventy years ago, there was very little material found that referred to institutional laundries and much of what is available is incomplete. It is clear however from the review of files that some institutional laundries had tendered for the award of contracts from the Department. It is apparent from the files that a St Mary's Laundry (location and status unknown) had tendered for a laundry contract in 1975 but was unsuccessful. There are also references on file to the fact that the Magdalene Laundry in Galway had been unsuccessful in a tender competition held in 1981. It is also apparent from the files that High Park Laundry, Drumcondra and Gloucester Street Laundry, Sean McDermott Street had approached the Department in 1978 asking that they be included on the list of laundries invited to tender for future contracts.

In relation to fair wages, there is a reference on file to a meeting that took place in July 1982 regarding laundry contracts and it is clear that the fair wages clause, as it applied to "Convent Laundries", was discussed.

The files that are the basis for the information contained in this response are not readily available owing to the Departments imminent relocation to Newbridge. When the files in question become available, I could, if requested, arrange for officials from the Department to meet with the Deputy to show him the relevant records that have been located and which form the basis of this response.

Defence Forces Property

Jimmy Deenihan
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Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
576 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if he will instruct his Department to provide a site free of charge to another Government Department for a new Garda station at Tralee County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39440/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Department is aware that the Office of Public Works proposes to move three organisations, An Garda Siochana, Courts Service and a HGV testing centre into part of Ballymullen Barracks. The Department has been in contact with that Office and is awaiting a response. The site for the Garda station cannot be provided free of charge as, in line with a Government Decision, the funding realised from the disposal of surplus military property provides resources for the modernisation of the Defence Forces and is invested in new infrastructure, equipment and training area development. All properties that are deemed to be surplus to military requirements will continue to be disposed of and the funding invested to meet the current and future equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements

Back to table of contents

Institution	Average % of prison population per work and training session	Average % of prison population attending education
Arbour Hill	53	57
Castlerea	19	38
Cloverhill	5	19
Cork	21	43
Dóchas	33	55
Limerick	12	46
Loughan House	11	65
Midlands	17	46
Mountjoy	17	19
Portlaoise	7	54
Shelton Abbey	50	63
St Patrick’s Institution	21	44
Training Unit	55	38
Wheatfield	27	38

Name of Board of State Agency	Number of members
Courts Service Board	17
Legal Aid Board	13
Private Security Authority	11
Property Registration Authority	11

Title of Agreement	Date of Signature	Date of Ratification/ Accession/ Notification	Date of Entry into Force for Ireland	Date of Entry into Force Internationally
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tajikistan, of the other part	11/10/2004	11/06/2007	01/01/2010	01/01/2010
Trade Amendment to the Energy Charter Treaty	n/a	13/07/2001	21/01/2010	21/01/2010
Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance between the United States of America and the European Union signed on 25 June 2003, as to the application of the Treaty between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters	14/07/2005	28/10/2009	01/02/2010	01/02/2010
Instrument as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement on Extradition between the United States of America and the European Union signed 25 June 2003 as to the Application of the Treaty on Extradition between Ireland and the United States of America	14/07/2005	28/10/2009	01/02/2010	01/02/2010
Amendment to the Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals	n/a	25/07/2005	27/02/2010	27/02/2010
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty	19/12/1997	14/12/2009	14/03/2010	06/03/2002
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty	19/12/1997	14/12/2009	14/03/2010	20/05/2002
Agreement between Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Spain, the Italian Republic, the Portuguese Republic, the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing a Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics	30/09/2007	21/07/2008	02/04/2010	02/04/2010
Protocol No. 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the Control System of the Convention	13/05/2004	10/11/2004	01/06/2010	01/06/2010
Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on the privileges of US employees assigned to Preclearance duties in Ireland pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Air Transport Preclearance	17/11/2008	06/07/2010	06/07/2010	06/07/2010
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime	13/12/2000	17/06/2010	17/07/2010	25/12/2003
Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime	13/12/2000	17/06/2010	17/07/2010	28/01/2004
Convention on Cluster Munitions	03/12/2008	03/12/2008	01/08/2010	01/08/2010
Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings	13/04/2007	13/07/2010	01/11/2010	01/02/2008
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption	19/06/1996	28/07/2010	01/11/2010	01/05/1995
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants	22/05/2001	05/08/2010	03/11/2010	17/05/2004

Region	Contact Phone Number	Average Waiting time Weeks	No. awaiting first appointment
Arklow & District	0402 91200	5.00	45
Athlone	090 6476616	3.00	14
Ballymun	01 8620059	2.50	24
Blanchardstown	01 8206324	8.50	100
Bray	01 2760411	2.00	28
Carlow	059 9140977	2.10	40
Cavan	049 4362900	3.80	25
Charleville	063 81603	3.50	10
Clare /Shannon Office	065 6841991 /061 360422	5.00	38
Clondalkin	01 4575782	8.00	80
Cork	021 4552080	5.80	85
Cork North	022 43879	4.00	41
Cork West	023 8855155	3.50	21
Donegal North / Inishowen	074 9129909 / 074 9321856	5.00	24
Donegal South	074 9724462	3.00	7
Drogheda	041 9842810	3.50	50
Dublin 10 + 20 (Comac) Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard	01 6235443/01 6233900	3.50	25
Dublin 12 Area	01 4560731	8.00	29
Dublin North City	01 8794006	3.70	26
Dublin North East	01 8674892	6.00	46
Dublin South East	01 6706555	5.50	39
Dun Laoghaire	01 2302002	3.00	25
Dun na nGall Iarthar	074 9560747	5.05	10
Dundalk/Oriel	042 9327823	4.90	47
Dundrum/Rathfarnham	01 2990360	7.00	45
Fingal	01 8901102	5.30	48
Finglas	01 8642148	8.00	68
Galway North	093 24421	15.00	52

Company	Contact Phone Number	Average Waiting time Weeks	No. awaiting first appointment
Galway South (Galway City/Loughrea)	091 569349/ 091 841869	2.50	38
Kerry	066 7129750	3.00	44
Kildare (Kilcock/Kildare)	01 628 4466 / 045 435558	18.40	125
Kilkenny	056 7761777	2.10	17
Laois	057 8661727	8.50	72
Leitrim	071 9644994	4.50	35
Liffey South West	01 4731878	4.50	73
Limerick	061 310620	0.80	112
Longford	043 3347705	0.85	16
Mayo North	096 72902	7.60	19
Mayo South	094 9028888	13.50	58
Meath	046 9072836	0.60	0
Monaghan	042 9749189	2.00	17
Mullingar	044 9340871	2.60	19
Offaly	057 9323211	6.00	40
Roscommon	0906 627811	2.50	9
Sligo	071 91 41022	8.60	58
Tallaght	01-4203274	7.00	95
Tipperary North (Nenagh/Thurles)	067 41033/0504 23510	6.20	39
Tipperary South (Clonmel/Tipperary Town)	052 6129313/062 33410	3.50	81
Waterford	051 857929	1.00	0
Waterford West	058 44922	0.20	8
Wexford	053 9121504	1.00	82

Country	HSE East	HSE South	HSE South East	HSE West	HSE North East	HSE Mid West	HSE North West	HSE Midland	Total
Ireland	24,158	7,814	7,037	5,657	4,030	4,584	2,804	2,894	58,978
Poland	3,277	1,499	1,077	881	557	645	337	670	8,943
United Kingdom	1,163	1,001	743	871	353	379	562	219	5,291
Lithuania	1,330	233	205	180	437	109	77	206	2,777
Nigeria	1,675	209	56	109	229	96	34	92	2,500
Latvia	728	131	206	134	213	136	39	109	1,696
Romania	1,336	90	48	28	100	14	21	21	1,658
Slovakia	325	79	93	50	44	63	17	115	786
Congo	416	55	14	21	33	31	3	25	598
Somalia	421	46	39	3	10	44	6	7	576
Czech Republic	150	114	52	42	45	57	8	46	514
Iraq	314	40	14	15	3	23	5	4	418
Hungary	176	75	30	28	17	28	6	10	370
Germany	97	81	30	57	22	35	26	11	359
Ukraine	217	27	24	9	20	19	7	13	336
Sudan	135	50	46	10	1	58	14	3	317
Algeria	258	14	6	14	6	8		8	314
Russia	204	28	17	23	8	17	2	8	307
South Africa	138	42	23	25	30	23	5	21	307
Estonia	138	37	61	16	15	18	5	12	302
Moldova	214	14	10	6	17	5	1	3	270
Northern Ireland	38	8	8	24	31	4	137	6	256
France	122	42	8	30	12	12	9	13	248
Pakistan	121	19	8	32	19	16	7	23	245
Iran	162	15	3	4	3	5	21	4	217
Italy	117	27	14	27	10	7	2	8	212
Portugal	52	38	53	20	12	5	2	27	209
USA	60	47	18	34	14	14	14	4	205
Spain	118	23	6	30	3	15	5	3	203
Angola	144	14	11	5	11	10	1	6	202
Scotland	42	17	8	34	6	10	66	7	190
Cameroon	118	29	9	8	7	13	1	2	187
Ghana	75	22	4	13	10	21	24	3	172
Zimbabwe	81	24	10	15	8	10	4	8	160
Netherlands	56	29	12	10	12	10	15	6	150
Georga	98	35	3	10	1	1		1	149
Albania	108	16	7	2	2	5	1		141
Afghanistan	73	21	4	1	2	22	1	2	126
Kosovo	90	20	6	1	2	4			123
Brazil	42	7	13	39	5	3	5	7	121
China	82	14	3	4	2	9	1	2	117
Bulgaria	85	8	2	4	5	2	2	7	115
Libya	77	9	7	3	3	4	1		104
Bangladesh	34	32	11	12		9		4	102
Croatia	24	27	11	11	6	6	2	6	93
Bosnia	83	1	2		1				87
Philippines	63	8	3	4	1	2	3	1	85
Togo	31	21		10	6	14	1	1	84
Kenya	47	11	7	5	4	3		3	80
Sierra Leone	49	12	3	1	7	4	1	1	78
Egypt	42	2	9	3	3	2		16	77
Belarus	33	6	6	6	5	11		1	68
Ethiopia	46	9	4	1	2	5	1		68
Ivory Coast	37	11	2	4	7	4		3	68
India	33	8	5	4	3	5	4	4	66
Eritrea	39	10		2	1	9	2	1	64
Morocco	27	4	7	1	1	19	3		62
Rwanda	36	6	5	2	2	3	1	1	56
Turkey	27	6	5	4	4	4		1	51
Belgium	32	9		6	1	1		1	50
Guinea	33	6	1	2	1	5			48
Uganda	22	7	2	5	4	4		3	47
Palestine	27	6	3	3	1	5			45
Zambia	19	5	6	3	1	8	2	1	45
Wales	7	15	10	1	2	4	3		42
Canada	14	4	4	5	6	1	3	4	41
Kuwait	34	4		1		1			40
Zaire	36				2			2	40
Kazakhstan	23	3	2	4		2		4	38
Vietnam	36				1				37
Sweden	20	5	5	2		2	1		35
Uzbekistan	20	6	4	2		1		2	35
Malaysia	20	6	2			2	1	1	32
Malta	11	5	2	3	6	3		1	31
Syria	23		2	2		3		1	31
Australia	13	2	1	6	2	2	4		30
Liberia	13	4	1	5	1	5		1	30
Austria	14	5		1	2	5	1		28
Armenia	17	5	1		2	1	1		27
Yugoslavia	21	4				1		1	27
Tunisia	20	2	1	1	1				25
Burundi	12	4	1	1	1	3	1		23
Israel	14	3	2	1	1	1	1		23
Lebanon	15	2	3	2				1	23
Thailand	14	4	3	1			1		23
Chechnya	18			3	1				22
Finland	12	3	1	3	1	1		1	22
Greece	14	4					3	1	22
Cuba	18		1			2			21
Sri Lanka	5	4	1	4		3	1	2	20
Mongolia	18								18
Burma	8	1		5	1	1			16
Jordan	11	2		1		1			15
Mauritus	10	2			1			2	15
Niger	7	4	2	1		1			15
Denmark	7		4		2	1			14
El Salvador	7	2		1		1		2	13
Serbia	3	5	1		3			1	13
Azerbaijan	10					2			12
Kyrgyzstan	9			2					11
Malawi	6	2			2	1			11
Maldives	9			1			1		11
New Zealand	3	2	2	1	1	1			10

	Year/Number
Comhairle	2005: 92
	2006: 92
Citizens Information Board	2007: 92
	2008: 88
	2009: 88
	2010: 90

	Year/Expenditure
Comhairle	2005: €20.917m
	2006: €24.362m
Citizens Information Board	2007: €29.90m
	2008: €29.468m
	2009: €28.005m
	2010 (Allocation): €45.872m (includes funding for MABS)

Organisation	Website	2008	2009	2010
		€	€	€
Department of Social Protection	www.welfare.ie	320,639	61,914	53,870
Department of Social Protection	www.groireland.ie	230	1,892	2,000
Department of Social Protection	www.nationalpensionsframework.ie	4,840	242	816
Department of Social Protection	SOLAS (internal website)	1,147,000	—	—
Citizens Information Board	www.citizensinformation.ie	351,457	258,575	219,722
Citizens Information Board	www.assistireland.ie	100,636	85,030	45,000
Citizens Information Board	www.losingyourjob.ie	—	7,454	2,179
Citizens Information Board	www.citizensinformationboard.ie	18,644	10,882	683
Citizens Information Board	www.keepingyourhome.ie	—	—	612
Pensions Board	www.pensionsboard.ie	22,700	40,019	10,090
Pensions Ombudsman	www.pensionsombudsman.ie	Nil	Nil	Nil

Year End	Social Insurance Fund Reserves
	€
2009*	891,272,000
2008	3,376,969,000
2007	3,632,298,000
2006	3,049,141,000
2005	2,400,284,000

	IB	OIB
2006	5 days	5 days
2007	6 days	5 days
2008	8 days	6 days
2009	7 days	6 days
2010*	8 days	6 days

Year	Average weeks to award
2010*	9 weeks
2009	8 weeks
2008	13 weeks
2007	12 weeks
2006	8 weeks

Name of Agency	No. of Board Members
The Pensions Board	17
Citizens Information Board	15
Social Welfare Tribunal	5

Name of Statutory Body	Expenditure for each year
	€
Social Welfare Tribunal	2006: Nil
	2007: Nil
	2008: 155.00
	2009: 330.00
	2010: 5,772.00 (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)
Office of the Pensions Ombudsman	2006: 0.79m
	2007: 0.91m
	2008: 0.96m
	2009: 0.93m
	2010: 0.65m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)
The Pensions Board¹	2006: 6.60m
	2007: 6.63m²
	2008: 6.76m
	2009: 6.10m
	2010: 3.50m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)
Combat Poverty Agency	2006: 4.31m
Combat Poverty Agency was dissolved as a separate entity with effect from 01 July 2009	2007: 4.0m 2008: 4.1m 2009: 1.2m
Comhairle Citizens Information Board (The Comhairle name was changed to Citizens Information Board in February 2007 under the Citizens Information Act 2007)	2006: 25.00m 2007: 29.9m 2008: 29.4m 2009: 28.0m³ 2010 34.03m (1/1/10 to 30/09/10)

State Board	Number sitting on Board
National Library of Ireland	12
Crawford Gallery	16
Irish Manuscripts Commission	20
National Archives Advisory Council	6
Tourism Ireland Ltd*	12
National Tourism Development Authority (Fáilte Ireland)	12
Irish Sports Council	11
National Sports Campus Development Authority	13
Irish Film Board	7
National Museum of Ireland	8
Irish Museum of Modern Art	9
National Concert Hall	15
National Gallery of Ireland	16
Arts Council	13
Culture Ireland	12

Agency	2006 €000	2007 €000	2008 €000	2009 €000	2010 €000
Arts Council	72,310	80,000	82,102	73,350	68,649
Chester Beatty Library	2,483	3,208	3,467	3,083	2,714
Crawford Art Gallery	1,190	2,080	1,991	1,753	1,579
Fáilte Ireland **	77,857	79,496	82,819	78,687	68,299
Irish Film Board	17,126	19,659	23,197	20,340	19,272
Irish Museum of Modern Art	6,480	7,442	8,260	7,332	6,671
Irish Sports Council	40,914	54,025	57,631	51,689	49,572
National Concert Hall	2,852	4,270	3,903	3,478	3,105
National Gallery of Ireland	9,439	11,765	12,610	10,934	10,163
National Library of Ireland	11,417	13,201	12,002	10,742	9,348
National Museum of Ireland	19,842	19,512	19,058	15,415	15,125
National Sports Campus Development Authority*	—	22,198	6,710	4,398	7,754
Tourism Ireland**	18,737	19,600	20,010	19,400	18,740

Year	Local Authority	Voluntary	Affordable	Total
2007	6,988	1,685	3,539	12,212
2008	5,692	1,896	4,567	12,155
2009 (to end quarter 3)	2,963	1,330	1,360	5,653
Total	15,643	4,911	9,466	30,020

Name of Board	No of Board Members*
Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board**	5
An Bord Pleanála	8
Dublin Docklands Development Authority	7
Comhar	26
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)***	5
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna	13
Irish Water Safety	13
Fire Services Council	0
Heritage Council	17
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland	10
PRTB	10
Rent Tribunal	7
Housing Finance Agency	11
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency	17
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency	17
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	12
Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB)	24
National Building Agency Ltd. (NBA)	12
Affordable Homes Partnership	11
Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB)	10
Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB)	10

Body	2006 Outturn €,000	2007 Outturn €,000	2008 Outturn €,000	2009 Outturn €,000	2010 Allocation €,000
Rent Tribunal	145	20	42	28	—
Private Residential Tenancies Board	2,974	5,740	3,812	1,000	—
Environmental Protection Agency	18,275	27,661	35,443	34,308	27,015
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland	4,662	3,971	4,676	4,245	3,685
An Bord Pleanála	13,609	15,990	15,098	15,331	13,029
Irish Water Safety Association	582	639	652	556	539
Heritage Council	9,388	13,536	13,403	10,142	8,482
Affordable Homes Partnership	2,164	2,436	3,465	3,210	2,127
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency	—	565	2,480	2,803	2,803
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency	—	565	2,480	2,803	2,802
Centre for Housing Research	30	457	606	435	—
Building Regulations Advisory Body	21	8	74	11	20
Fire Services Council	379	634	653	170	1
Irish Heritage Trust	—	5,500	520	484	436
National Traveller Consultative Committee	7	14	28	27	28
Local Drugs Task Force	461	481	496	461	461
Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board	90	157	175	43	200
National Rural Water Services Consultative Committee	134	212	171	99	2

Agency	Number of Sitting Board Members on 27th October 2010
RTÉ	12
TG4	12
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland	9
An Post	14
Bord Gáis Éireann	8
Bord na Móna	12
EirGrid	10
ESB	11
Ordnance Survey Ireland	10
Commission for Communications Regulation	No. Board — 3 Commissioners
Commission for Energy Regulation	No. Board — 3 Commissioners
Inland Fisheries Ireland	6
Digital Hub Development Agency	6
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	11
National Oil Reserves Agency	6
Irish National Petroleum Corporation	5
Mining Board	2
Loughs Agency	12

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010

Written Answers.

Sugar Imports

David Stanton

Public Service Staff

Róisín Shortall

Cabinet Committees

Lucinda Creighton

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Lucinda Creighton

FÁS Training Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Kathleen Lynch

Kathleen Lynch

Higher Education Grants

John Deasy

Community Employment Schemes

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Dinny McGinley

Employment Support Services

Michael Noonan

School Staffing

Ruairí Quinn

Fergus O'Dowd

Employment Support Services

David Stanton

Departmental Staff

Pat Breen

Special Educational Needs

Brian Hayes

Redundancy Payments

Seán Power

Schools Building Projects

Arthur Morgan

Higher Education Grants

Mary Upton

Departmental Agencies

Fergus O'Dowd

Fergus O'Dowd

Preschool Services

Fergus O'Dowd

Redundancy Payments

John O'Mahony

Schools Building Projects

Liz McManus

Higher Education Grants

James Bannon

James Bannon

James Bannon

Schools Building Projects

Brian Hayes

Higher Education Grants

Kathleen Lynch

Fergus O'Dowd

Olivia Mitchell

Schools Building Projects

Joe Costello

School Evaluations

Chris Andrews

Schools Building Projects

Chris Andrews

Kieran O'Donnell

Higher Education Grants

Arthur Morgan

Schools Refurbishment

Michael D'Arcy

Higher Education Grants

Liz McManus

Schools Building Projects

Simon Coveney

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010

Body	Number of Board members
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)	9
Bord Bia	15
Bord Iascaigh Mhara	6
Bord na gCon	7
Coillte Teoranta	9
Horse Racing Ireland	14
Irish National Stud	7
Marine Institute	9
National Milk Agency	5
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)	3 Members of the Authority
Teagasc	11

Year	Number of Redundancy Claims
2006	23,684
2007	25,459
2008	40,607
2009	77,001
2010	47,587*

(€000)
Year	Expenditure on Statutory Redundancy
2006	166,483
2007	183,328
2008	193,711
2009	335,861*
2010	363,284*

Building Name	SQ M.	Occupancy Status	Head Lease Rent	Rent € per m.sq.
			€
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 1	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,549.13	81.63
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 2	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,278.67	80.73
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 3	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,278.67	80.73
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 4	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,278.67	80.73
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 5	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,278.67	80.73
CL.BLDG.1 — UNIT 5	300.73	AVAILABLE	24,278.67	80.73

Agency	2006 Total	2007 Total	2008 Total	2009 Total	2010 Total
	000’	000’	000’	000’	000’
CEBs	30,421	31,856	31,985	27,812	28,310
CompetitionAuthority	5,831	6,104	6,776	5,568	4734
Enterprise Ireland	259,698	278,066	297,444	333,660	416,678
FÁS	942,015	1,046,312	1,096,192	1,063,936	1,017,753
Forfás	32,267	35,035	38,475	37,164	43,015
HSA	20,598	22,513	24,440	22,638	21,959
IDA Ireland	141,718	143,243	146,250	117,971	130,240
InterTrade Ireland	9,325	11,892	10,682	8,499	7,848
IAASA	919	1,528	1,547	1,532	1,345
NCA	7,289	8,397	10,000	8,588	7,232
NSAI	6,526	7,719	8,787	8,241	7,472
SFADCo	3,784	3,350	3,357	957	7,932
PIAB	0	0	0	0	60
Science Foundation Ireland	149,436	165,722	183,643	170,524	159,833

Local Action Group	RDP Prog Total Budget	Admin Spend 2009	As a % of Prog budget	Allocation for 2010	As a % of Prog budget
	€	€		€
Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership	9,057,810	316,098.71	3.49	271,734.44	3.00
Ballyhoura Development Ltd.	11,673,519	404,688.65	3.47	473,000.00	4.05
Carlow Co Development Partnership Ltd.	8,878,177	320,307.67	3.61	296,345.44	3.34
Cavan Partnership Ltd & County Monaghan Area Partnership Ltd.	12,035,118	247,592.19	2.06	387,069.30	3.22
Comhar na nOileán Teo.	4,642,415	197,077.02	4.25	454,911.08	9.80
Clare Local Development Co. Ltd.	14,028,529	355,838.59	2.54	173,395.41	1.24
Donegal Local Development Co. Ltd.	12,831,901	379,129.26	2.95	414,957.22	3.23
FORUM Connemara	9,668,965	186,826.39	1.93	253,003.52	2.62
Fingal LEADER Partnership	7,766,780	216,876.19	2.79	290,069.10	3.73
Galway Rural Development Co. Ltd.	15,257,985	360,926.38	2.37	457,739.78	3.00
Inishowen Development Partnership	8,286,143	240,140.54	2.90	255,584.41	3.08
IRD Duhallow	10,315,943	306,023.45	2.97	331,978.44	3.22
Kildare (Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo)	12,282,448	244,340.16	1.99	368,473.62	3.00
Co Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Ltd	11,523,729	377,104.49	3.27	395,712.04	3.43
Laois Community and Enterprise Development Co. Ltd.	10,993,608	275,768.55	2.51	329,808.40	3.00
Leitrim Integrated Development Co.	10,845,497	314,622.08	2.90	349,065.07	3.22
Longford Community Resource Ltd.	8,714,110	200,921.78	2.31	261,423.43	3.00
Louth LEADER Partnership	8,839,815	253,575.69	2.87	293,823.92	3.32
Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co.	10,751,894	298,999.33	2.78	322,556.98	3.00
Meath Partnership	12,748,771	466,133.63	3.66	437,463.32	3.43
Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo.	17,278,809	549,753.17	3.18	518,364.53	3.00
North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teo.	10,558,882	283,970.99	2.69	316,766.62	3.00
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Co.	9,708,008	213,273.99	2.20	291,240.39	3.00
Offaly Integrated Local Development Co.	11,520,489	261,479.25	2.27	345,614.84	3.00
Roscommon Integrated Development Co.	12,838,021	402,930.75	3.14	385,140.82	3.00
Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership Co.	10,888,673	333,651.09	3.06	352,599.84	3.24
South East Cork Area Development Ltd.	10,641,494	268,505.33	2.52	369,244.98	3.47
South Tipperary Local Development Co.Ltd.	11,106,187	308,371.88	2.78	371,120.20	3.34
South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd.	12,370,667	372,765.37	3.01	333,185.78	2.69
South West Mayo Development Co. Ltd .	12,150,007	370,710.46	3.05	364,500.39	3.00
Waterford LEADER Partnership Ltd	10,558,519	244,439.69	2.32	316,755.73	3.00
West Cork Development Partnership	14,601,149	425,453.89	2.91	473,449.27	3.24
West Limerick Resources	9,997,751	278,891.93	2.79	331,358.68	3.31
Westmeath Community Development	10,987,060	355,819.91	3.24	342,697.64	3.12
Wexford Local Development	12,515,565	418,575.91	3.34	375,467.14	3.00
Co. Wicklow Partnership	11,135,560	320,000.54	2.87	334,066.97	3.00
	399,999,998	11,371,584.90	Ave 2.86	12,639,688.75	Ave 3.29

Body	Current number of board members
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests	11
Dormant Accounts Board	10
Western Development Commission	12
Údarás na Gaeltachta	20
An Foras Teanga, comprising
Ulster-Scots Agency	8
Foras na Gaeilge	15
Family Support Agency	8
Equality Authority	14
National Disability Authority	13
Irish Human Rights Commission	15

County	Address	Size	Terms
Clare	Kilrush Creek Marina (NSR) Kilrush,	Building — 4,000sq ft Yard — 3,400 sq ft.	Licence agreementfrom 1/1/2010 –31/12/2010 for one year only at the discretion of the Licensor
Cork	Weir St., Bandon, Co.	1,585 sq ft.	Letting agreement commenced in 2001 for a term of 10 years
Donegal	Unit 4, Court Place, Cardonagh	12.4 mtrs × 7.6mtrs	Letting agreement commenced 1985
Galway	Tuam Hutsite	Hutsite only 2,244 sq ft.	Longstanding local agreement
Leitrim	8 Park Lane, Carrick-on-Shannon	839 sq ft	Longstanding local agreement
Mayo	Foxford, Ballina	2 Storey Terraced House.	Longstanding local agreement Rent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.
Monaghan:	Cross St. Carrickmacross	2 Storey Building	Longstanding local agreement
Monaghan	Drumgoask, Monaghan	40ft × 40ft	Letting agreement commenced in 2010 for a term of 5 years
Offaly	Kilcruttin, Tullamore. Ground Floor Unit	1,863 sq ft.	Longstanding local agreement Rent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.
Sligo	Unit 12B, Cleveragh Business Centre	683.24 sq ft.	Agreement commenced in 2006 for a term of 10 years — rent review after 5yrs
Carlow	Hutsite, Carlow Workhouse	Hutsite only150ft × 120ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Centre, Tullow	30ft × 21ft	Longstanding local agreement
Cork	Town Hall, Bandon — 2 rooms	34ft × 31ft &21ft × 15½ ft.	Longstanding local agreement
	Parochial Hall, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry	50ft × 20ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Beara Sports Hall, Castletownbere	130ft × 75ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Charleville Community Hall, Chapel St.	20ft × 15ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Macroom GAA Club	Ent Hall 5.59m × 1.89mHall 16.37m × 6.04m	Licence agreement commenced in 2008 and from year to year thereafter
	Industrial Hall, Clonakilty	60ft × 80ft	Longstanding local agreement
	St. Patrick’s Hall, Dunmanway	82ft × 35ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Scoil Mhuire Hall, Kanturk	98ft × 53ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Centre, Kilworth	Hall	Longstanding local agreement
	Kinsale Municipal Hall	50ft × 36ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Parish Hall, Roscarbery	1430sq ft.	Longstanding local agreement
	GAA Club, Millstreet	63.4ft × 40.3ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Scoil Phadraig, New Road, Mallow	School Gym70ft × 40ft	Longstanding local agreement
Donegal	St. Finians Hall, Falcarragh	37ft × 18ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Hall, Massinass, Creeslough,	57ft × 21ft	Longstanding local agreement
Galway	Hall Einne, Carraroe	80ft × 30ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community CentreGlenamaddy	50ft × 80ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Coláiste Na Toirbhirte, Headford	30mtrs × 25mtrs	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Hall, Portumna	50ft × 16ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Tuam Town Commissioners	Plot measuring 141’ × 48’	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Centre, Oughterard	23ft × 20ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Centre Glenamaddy	Hall	Longstanding local agreement
	Glenfarne Hall	Hall	Longstanding local agreement
Leitrim	Parochial Hall, Drumlea, Corrawallen	Not available	Longstanding local agreement
	Mayflower Ballroom, Drumshambo	Not available	Longstanding local agreement
Limerick	Community Centre, Abbeyfeale	40ft × 20ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Hall, Boher	31ft × 15ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Muintir Na Tíre Hall, Hospital	90ft × 60ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Newcastlewest, (Hut Site)	Hutsite only	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Hall, Pallas Green	12ft × 15ft	Term Year to YearMonths notice in writing to vacate.
Mayo	Scouts Den, Ballina	40ft × 25ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Claremorris Town Hall	39ft × 90ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Roundford Community Hall, Hollymount	72ft × 35ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Swinford Community Hall	90ft × 60ft	Longstanding local agreement
Meath	Gilsen Boys School, Oldcastle	45ft × 60ft	Longstanding local agreement
Offaly	St. Mary’s Hall, Ferbane	60ft × 30ft	Longstanding local agreement
Tipperary	St. Patrick’s Parochial Hall, Ballymacarberry	70ft × 30ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Tipperary Town (Hut Site)	Hutsite only	Longstanding local agreement
Waterford	Community Centre, Capoquin, Villierstown	2000 sq mtrs.	Longstanding local agreement
	Community Hall, Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy	45ft × 30ft	Longstanding local agreement
	Cushinstown Parish Hall	Not available	Commenced in 2007 and from year to year thereafter
	Scout Hall, Gorey	Not available	Commenced in 2010rent paid annually in advance
Wicklow	Tinahealy Parochial Hall	38ft × 21ft	Longstanding local agreement

2 E Bde RDF	Effective
	Lt Col	Comdt	Capt	Lt	2/Lt	Sgt Maj	BQMS	CS	CQMS	Sgt	Cpl	Pte	Total
HQ 2 E Bde RDF	1	4	4	2	2	1	1	3	4	3	6	2	33
62 Res Inf Bn	0	4	12	8	4	0	1	5	4	27	36	195	296
65 Res Inf Bn	0	6	8	7	8	0	0	5	6	26	48	196	310
67 Res Inf Bn	0	5	5	6	5	1	1	3	3	17	25	112	183
62 Res Arty Regt	0	4	12	9	4	1	2	4	2	32	37	97	204
62 Res Cav Sqn	0	0	3	2	0	0	0	1	1	9	8	29	53
62 Res Engr Coy	0	1	1	3	0	0	0	1	1	8	6	16	37
62 Res CIS Coy	0	1	2	1	1	0	0	1	1	5	5	12	29
62 Res Logs Bn	0	1	4	12	0	1	0	2	2	11	25	71	129
62 Res MP Coy	0	1	2	0	1	0	0	2	1	8	16	18	49
2 AD	0	1	3	1	0	0	0	1	1	10	10	18	45
Total	1	28	56	51	25	4	5	28	26	156	222	766	1,368

1 S Bde RDF	Effective
	Lt Col	Comdt	Capt	Lt	2/Lt	Sgt Maj	BQMS	CS	CQMS	Sgt	Cpl	Pte	Total
HQ 1 S Bde RDF	1	4	8	3	1	1	1	5	3	2	2		31
32 Res Inf Bn	0	5	8	19	4	0	1	10	6	37	49	209	348
33 Res Inf Bn	0	5	13	22	7	0	1	5	4	36	55	164	312
34 Res Inf Bn	0	6	8	16	3	1	1	5	6	35	45	232	358
31 Res Arty Regt	0	2	7	9	0	1	1	2	4	34	23	90	173
31 Res Cav Sqn	0	1	2	3	1	0	0	0	1	11	12	20	51
31 Res Engr Coy	0	1	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	7	2	14	29
31 Res CIS	0	1	0	2	1	0	0	1	1	6	8	53	73
31 Res MP Coy	0	1	2	2	0	0	0	1	1	14	38	11	70
31 Res Logs Bn	0	3	3	6	0	0	1	3	3	16	24	91	150
3 AD	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	1	9	7	34	56
4 AD	0	1	1	2	1	0	0	1	1	9	6	51	73
Total	1	31	57	86	18	3	6	35	31	216	271	969	1,724